Christiansted

https://www.nps.gov/chri/index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christiansted_National_Historic_Site Christiansted National Historic Site commemorates urban colonial development of the Virgin Islands. It features 18th and 19th century structures in the heart of Christiansted, the capital of the former Danish West Indies on St. Croix Island. The site consists of six historic structures: Fort Christiansværn (constructed from 1738 to 1749), the Danish West India and Guinea Company Warehouse (1749), the Church of Our Lord Sabaoth Steeple Building (1753), Customs House (built 1840-1842), the Scale House (1856), and Government House (1747). The Danish West India and Guinea Company held slave auctions within the walled compound of their warehouse until 1803, when the slave trade was outlawed. Christiansted National Historic Site was established in 1952 as the first unit of the National Park Service in the Virgin Islands of the United States. Covering over seven acres the park tells the stories about Danish economy and ways of life, and the interactions of people in Europe, Africa, West Indies, and North America during the Danish era of occupation of the Virgin Islands (1734-1917). To Christiansted National Historic Site from Henry E. Rohlsen Airport: Drive east on Route 64 to Melvin Edwards Highway (Route 66). Turn right and continue for 4.8 miles (7.2 kilometers). Continue straight onto Old Centerline Road (Queen Mary Highway), and continue straight onto the Christiansted Bypass 3.7 miles (5.9 km). Turn left onto Hospital Street. The parking lot for Christiansted National Historic Site will be on your right. Christiansted National Historic Site Bookstore and Welcome Center The bookstore is located at the historic Scale House, at the water's edge. To Christiansted National Historic Site from Henry E. Rohlsen Airport: Drive east on Route 64 to Melvin Edwards Highway (Route 66). Turn right and continue for 4.8 miles (7.2 kilometers). Continue straight onto Old Centerline Road (Queen Mary Highway), and continue straight onto the Christiansted Bypass 3.7 miles (5.9 km). Turn left onto Hospital Street. The parking lot for Christiansted National Historic Site will be on your right. Christiansted National Historic Site Visitor Center Fort Christiansvaern at Christiansted National Historic Site serves as the point of information for all three national park units on St. Croix, including Buck Island Reef National Monument and Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve. Visit the fee booth at the fort for brochures, pamphlets, and guides. To Christiansted National Historic Site from Henry E. Rohlsen Airport: Drive east on Route 64 to Melvin Edwards Highway (Route 66). Turn right and continue for 4.8 miles (7.2 kilometers). Continue straight onto Old Centerline Road (Queen Mary Highway), and continue straight onto the Christiansted Bypass 3.7 miles (5.9 km). Turn left onto Hospital Street. The parking lot for Christiansted National Historic Site will be on your right. None There is no campground at the Christiansted NHS. Fort Christiansvaern View of the Christiansted NHS complex Fort Christiansvaern, the Danish Customs House, Scale House, Danish West Inda and Guinea Co Warehouse and Steeple Building make up Christiansted NHS Customs House view of the front steps of the Customs House A customs house has stood on this spot since the 1730s. The current building was finished in the 1842. Fort Christiansvaern - Commandant's Quarters View of the interior courtyard and stairs to the quarters of the fort's Commandant. Fort Christiansvaern served as the residence for the Danish colony's Governor, then for the fort's Commandant and his family. Steeple Building view of the Steeple Building from the street corner. First known as the Church of Our Lord of Zebaoth, the church was completed in 1751, and consecrated in 1753. The steeple tower was built 1793-1796. Commerce and the Christiansted Wharf Ca. 1815 painting of activity at the wharf in Christiansted, St. Croix. The Christiansted wharf was a cosmopolitan port throughout the 18th and 19th centuries. Young Alexander Hamilton Drawing of Alexander Hamilton, age 18 Alexander Hamilton spent his youth on St. Croix, from 1765 until 1772. This drawing was made shortly after he left the island. National Park Getaway: Christiansted National Historic Site Velkommen til Christiansted National Historical Park! When you think of visiting “America’s Paradise,” what comes to mind? Sparkling clear waters? Coral reefs? Palm trees swaying in the breeze? History? All of this and more can be found in our national parks on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Bright yellow colonial-style building two trees in front Uniforms for the Caribbean Did you know that employees from across the National Park Service stepped up to help their fellow employees after hurricanes hit the US Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico? In September of 2017, Hurricane Irma, one of the strongest known hurricanes in the Atlantic, lashed the Caribbean and Florida. It was followed within days by Hurricane Maria, another devastating hurricane that also hit Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands, among other places. Boxes line a hallway awaiting shipment to parks in the Caribbean. Photo by Kristine Brunsman The Slave Wrecks Project at Christensted and Buck Island NPS archeologists working with the Slave Wrecks Project (SWP) searched for underwater wrecks of slaver ships and terrestrial remains of slave markets to learn more about the global slave trade. Archeologists look at something underwater Caribbean Trade and Networks A study on prehistoric artifacts of the Saladoid-era (ca. 400 B.C. to A.D. 600) peoples on St. Croix Island used archeological and settlement pattern data to understand the lives of ancient Caribbean societies, including how they settled the landscape; their contacts and exchanges both among themselves and their island neighbors; and how these communities, societies, and their interactions changed over time. SARI excavations. Alexander Hamilton An overview of the life and accomplishments of Alexander Hamilton. Alexander Hamilton painted portrait. Alexander Hamilton, New Yorker An exploration of Hamilton's time in and contributions to New York City. This painting depicts Hamilton dressed in New York Artillery uniform. Why Sea Turtles Returned to Buck Island Beneath the turquoise waves of a Caribbean “gem,” we are witnessing the comeback of some of the world’s oldest animals. Woman kneeling over a large sea turtle, measuring its shell with a tape measure. Guide to the Thomas J. Allen Photograph Collection Finding aid for the Thomas J. Allen Photographs in the NPS History Collection. From Virgin Islands Youth to National Park Steward: A Story of Skill & Service To those who are inspired to build a career with the National Park Service, read more about the experience of an NPS employee's journey. NPS employee standing next to a historic cannon Community Volunteer Ambassadors The primary duty of the Community Volunteers Ambassadors is to encourage local residents, particularly young people, to volunteer for climate-resilience-related projects in the park. A young woman holds two fingers up in front of a cactus, seemingly doing the same thing From Coral Reefs to Historic Trails: YCC Programs Inspire the Next Generation of Conservationists in the Caribbean Work, Learn, Play, and Grow! That is what these youth, interns, and National Park Service staff did this summer through the paid Youth Conservation Corps Program! A group of 11 youth stand behind a sign that reads "San Juan National Historic Site"