Tag: British

Then & Now historical information

May 12, 2012 /

Did you know that the first Post Office in the Virgin Islands was established in its capital city of Road Town, Tortola in 1787. And in “1814 former postmaster and president’s clerk, Frederick Augustus Pickering became the first ‘coloured’ British Virgin Islander to act as President. On the 24th November 1949, a demonstration march of over 1,500 persons from all over the islands asked for the removal of then Commissioner J.A.C Cruickshank and for closer association with the United States Virgin Islands. The leaders of the demonstration, Theodolph Faulkner, Isaac G. Fonseca and Carlton DeCastro presented a petition expressing widespread grievances and demanding freedom and democracy. ” Their protest was apparently recognized as in July 1950, the Legislative Council of the Virgin Islands, which consisted of four members who were elected by the constituency, was reconstituted – and in 1960 the Office of Governor of the Leeward Islands, which was based in Antigua, was abolished and the Administrator (formerly Commissioner) of the Virgin Islands was given the powers of Governor. A new Constitution of the Virgin Islands became effective April 1967 – this provided a Ministerial System of seven elected members with the Hon. H. Lavity Stoutt (now deceased) as Chief Minister. (Specialised Stamp Catalogue of the British Virgin Islands, Edited by Giorgio Migliavacca)

Then & Now – Seniors Celebration

May 5, 2012 /

Sunday, May 6, 2012,  another great episode of Then & Now can be seen at 8p.m on CBN Ch 51 with repeat showings on Wednesday also at 8p.m and Saturday at 8a.m. This week you will see many of the Senior Citizens of the Virgin Islands celebrating the twenty third anniversary of the Senior Citizen’s Movement. There were lots of activities, local food, drinks, crafts and much more on display for everyone’s enjoyment at the historical 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum.

“The 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works Museum was built by the slaves of the plantation owner, Mc.Cleverty. Molasses, sugar, ‘muscovado’ and rum were produced at the sugar works until the 1940s.” (Muscovado is a type of unrefined brown sugar with a strong molasses flavor – wiki – You may recall Mr. Hugo Vanterpool mentioning this in his interview). During the 19th Century the timber frame section of the building became, what is believed to have been, the first Virgin Islands guest house. The museum was acquired by the Government in the 1900 and was used for various purposes such as an “experimental agriculture station and installed a cotton ginnery. Lime juice was also produced. Until the 1940s, the High Court sat in the first floor, which was subsequently used as a butchery and the yard as a block factory. The building also housed the Government’s Community Development Office and the Town and Country Planning and Survey Department. The Royal Virgin Islands Police also kept stores in the buildings up until its restoration (2003-2007) – this restoration included replacing the main roof, chimney and timber frame.” (Museum Info.)

There are many historical artifacts and art work in the museum and it is worth a visit from everyone – The Manager, Mrs. Olive Vanterpool, will be pleased to see you any time Monday thru Friday, 9:00 a.m – 3:00 p.m

 

 

Then & Now Informative

April 29, 2012 /

Did you know that it wasn’t until 1947 that married women were eligible to hold posts in the civil service – “up until that time women who already held such posts were required to resign upon marriage.” (Eugenia O’Neal – A History of Women in the Virgin Islands) . Women, we have come a long way and still moving forward.