basket. (Source photo by Amy H. Roberts)
A traditional St. John market basket exquisitely crafted by Herman Prince. A ukulele made out of a ham can owned by quelbe band leader Jamesie Brewster. A hard copy of “Grandma Raised the Roof,” the rollicking memoir of Ethel Walbridge McCully. These are some of the artifacts on display at the St. John Historical Society’s new headquarters in Cruz Bay, located upstairs at the St. John Properties Building next to Mongoose Junction.
The Historical Society has no paid staff and has only recently been able to share its collection of artifacts, according to Lonnie Willis, vice president of the board. At this point, the doors are open by appointment only by calling Willis at 340-344-4303.
The society was founded in February 1974 by ancestral St. Johnians and long-term residents who realized the value of preserving the culture and history of St. John and the Virgin Islands.
In the last 50 years, they’ve offered numerous tours of historic ruins, published “St. John Life in Five Quarters,” a beautifully illustrated collection of articles about the island, restored a cemetery for six Free-Colored St. Johnians who died between 1820 and 1879, conducted three archaeological digs, published a walking tour map of Cruz Bay, and amassed an impressive database of images and documents.
During the winter season, the society hosts talks that are free and open to the public held at the Bethany Moravian Church meeting hall on the second Tuesday of the month. This month’s talk Tuesday at 7 p.m. features Ken Wild who served as an archaeologist in the Virgin Islands National Park for 43 years.
Wild will talk briefly about his recent research on a historical shipwreck in Coral Bay and then present his main topic — new findings, including a graveyard, at the Catherineberg Estate ruins. “There are a few surprises,” he said.
The Historical Society’s collection had been stored in various locations and private homes since it was removed from the Elaine I. Sprauve Library and Museum during hurricane repairs decades ago. “We’re starting to document our collection with archival software,” said Willis. “Some of it has been stored in tubs for 50 years.”
Parts of the collections have now been made available to the public, thanks to countless hours by St. John Historical Society board members and volunteers.
The office opened at its new location just in time for Markus Imhoof, the renowned Swiss filmmaker and Isis Rampf to view some of the collection as they conduct research throughout the Virgin Islands.
Willis explained that the local government has not provided any facilities to display artifacts that tell the story of the lives of St. Johnians in past times. “We are locally funded, and we’re fortunate that people have been very generous,” she said.
