1
Not all vernacular structures on St. John are represented by stone and/or wood-framed buildings reflective of the Danish, English and Afro-Caribbean legacy in the Virgin Islands. Beach-sand cement structures, such as "Sewer's Cut-Rate Store," display United States and Puerto Rican architectural influences that dominated local development in the Post-WWII period. (Photo postcard by "The Art Shop," St. Thomas, VI, c1960).
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Ron Morrisette Sr., father of SJHS board member Brion Morrisette, inspects the Reef Bay petroglyphs in this postcard from the early 1960s. (Postcard published by Jackson Hole Preserve, Inc.). The SJHS would like to thank Mr. Herbert Coles for his contribution of this and 11 other vintage St. John postcards to the Society’s archive.
2
This stunning street scene of a fruit vendor on St. Croix by Emelie Langkjaer was among the images that were presented by Anne Walbom at the December 2011 SJHS membership meeting. (Photo courtesy Anne Walbom)
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A local sloop rushes for the shelter of the Cruz Bay Creek in the summer of 1951. Back when this photo was taken in 1951, the primary method of notifying the public of an approaching storm was the hoisting of the red gale warning flags from the flagstaff at the Battery: One flag for a gale; two flags for a hurricane. (Photo by Dr. George H. H. Knight)
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Locally-built fishing boats pulled up on shore at "The Creek" in the Cruz Bay Quarter, circa 1950. (Photo by Dr. George H. H. Knight)

  • Events

    Image of Picnicking on the beach at East End, circa 1909

    • Join us on Tuesday, February 14, 7 p.m. at the Bethany Moravian Church Hall, as preservationist, artist and architect Gerville Larsen presents, "How and Why We Need to Preserve and Conserve the Built Cultural Heritage of the USVI."


      Gerville Larsen is a sixth generation Crucian, born and raised on the island of St. Croix. He is the principal and owner of TALLER LARJAS, LLC. Gerville has extensive experience in the V.I. Government, having worked with DPNR and the Department of Public Works. Gerville has several pursuits, including his strong desire to preserve the unique natural and built environments of the territory. He is a member of the St. Croix Historic Preservation Committee and the former Chair of the St. Croix Landmarks Society.

    • Join us on Saturday, February 18, at 9 a.m., as Naturalist and SJHS Historian Eleanor Gibney offers an informative glimpse into St. John's shifting cultural landscapes from the grounds of the historic Estate Bellevue great house.


      Prominently sited on a high knoll off Gift Hill Road, the Bellevue estate was once an active and diversified farming operation before its abandonment in the middle part of the 19th century. We’ll look at St John’s agriculture of the past, both during the sugar era and the many decades that followed. Discussions will include how topography and climate limited these activities, and how past agriculture land use altered the island landscape in ways that are still visible today. Meet at the St. John Community Foundation’s Bellevue property, at the beginning of the unpaved road just past the Bellevue housing development (across from the dumpsters). There is limited parking so carpooling is suggested.

    • Special Event Announcement


      All members of the St. John Historical Society are invited to participate in what is sure to be a very memorable day of sailing aboard the classic wooden schooner S/V Heron. Two unique and exciting voyages are scheduled for Sunday, March 18.

      A daytime sail will depart from Maho Bay beach at 10 a.m. Passengers will be treated to the presentation, "Envisioning St. John's Historical Landscape" by David Knight and Eleanor Gibney, as the Heron sails along the beautiful north and northeast shore of St. John. This sail will conclude by 2 p.m. Then, a sunset sail will depart from Maho Bay beach at 3 p.m. Passengers will be treated to the presentation, "Shifting Sands: Reflections on Life Along St. John's North Shore" by Eleanor Gibney and Rafe Boulon, who will share their memories of growing up on some of the island's most picturesque beaches. The sail will conclude at about 6 p.m. Water, rum, fruit punches and snacks will be provided on both sails, and red and white wine will be provided on the sunset sail.

      Heron is a family built, owned and operated vessel. Owner/captains Nigel (aka Twig) and Bonnie live aboard this beauty, where they home school their two girls. Heron is a famous and proven John Alden design. She is fast and comfortable, and is one of the most notable classic yachts of all time – she was featured in the hit movie "The Rum Diary" starring Johnny Depp, which was based on the book by Hunter S. Thompson. It's a real thrill to have the opportunity to sail on the Heron, and with the two unique on-board presentations it's safe to say this will be a memorable event.

      The cost for each sail will be $80 per person. Proceeds will go toward funding the Society's future endeavors. There are just 18 spots available per sail and they're selling out fast, so make your reservations today by contacting SJHS Vice President Robin Swank at 776-6694 or ContactUs@StJohnHistoricalSociety.org. Please note that this is a members-only event, and 2012 dues must be paid before signing up for the sail. A signup sheet will also be available at February's membership meeting, but don't wait – sign up today!

  • Articles

    Vista of Coral Bay in a 1833 watercolor by Robert H. Schomburgk

    Read selections from archived SJHS Newsletter articles and supplemental articles about the history and culture of St. John. Recent additions include:

  • Photo Collections

    Photo of Christ of the Carribean, Peace Hill

    Explore our growing collection of photographs. Recent additions include:

    Historic Buildings (LOC-HABS/HAER)

    An extensive series of photographs and architectural drawings of historic buildings on St John. These works were drawn from the Historic American Buildings Survey Collection of the Library of Congress.

    Family Album of Anna Dohm Nose

    It was front page news on December 21, 1937, the local Daily News in fact, when Peter and Elsa Dohm and family arrived in their 10 meter yawl, Restmore, after a five year voyage. When the voyage began, Anna was four months old. Thus begins a family album covering the activities of this adventurous and entrepreneurial family. Luckily for us, this family believed in cameras and keepsakes, for Anna’s family album chronicles, with a small hiatus for the war years, the development of Cruz Bay and Red Hook from the 1930’s to the 1970’s.

    St Thomas Scenes

    This collection includes early 20th century photographs of St Thomas.

  • Presentations

    Lithograph print of the Cruz Bay Battery by Fritz Melbye, circa 1850

    View our slide-show presentations:

    • Governor Pearson. The early history of US ownership of the Virgin Islands come alive with these detailed and heartfelt written accounts and letters authored by the USVI’s first civilian governor, Paul M. Pearson. Pearson’s granddaughter, Barbara Grove, and her husband, David Grove, prepared this presentation which paint a picture of the depressed state of the territory upon Governor Pearson’s arrival, the fervor with which he was welcomed, and his genuine love and concern for the people of these islands.
    • Enduring Eloquence, a brief background of historical images of St. John, by former SJHS President David Knight.

  • Documents

    Photocopy from the Danish National Archives, Copenhagen–1722. List of first plantation owners on St. John

    View copies of primary documents relating to the rich historical legacy of St. John. Selected documents include a list of early settlers dating to 1722, plans for the Cruz Bay Battery drawn in 1780, a census for Lovango Cay from 1846, and many more...

  • Shop

    St. John – Life in Five Quarters Book

    Come visit our online store!

    St. John – Life in Five Quarters

    Selected readings from the archives of the St John Historical Society.

    This 200+ page book of local stories, pictures, and history includes accounts of prominent people and notable places, firsthand descriptions of earlier ways of life on St John, fact-based histories of estate ‘ruins’ we have rambled, and an impressive collection of interesting and beautiful images and photos, many of which have never been previously published.

    ATTENTION ALL MEMBERS AND FRIENDS


    New St. John Historical Society merchandise is now available


    The SJHS is pleased to introduce the Society’s exciting new line of custom t-shirts and caps. All affordably priced at a donation of just $20! Plenty of shirt styles, colors, and sizes to choose from: long sleeve with pocket, standard short sleeve, ladies short and three-quarter sleeve in scoop- or v-neck. All t-shirts are high-quality 100% cotton and printed with eco-friendly ink to protect our environment.

    Plus, high-quality custom embroidered caps with a leather adjustment strap in four fabulous colors.

    All items are available through the SJHS web store at:
    www.StJohnHistoricalSociety.org
    and from the sales table at any of our meetings or events.


    Step out in style and help support the SJHS with your donation.