Fort Christianvaern Open To Public Today For Transfer Centennial Events

ST. CROIX — The Fort Christiansvaern grounds will be opened to the public on Friday in commemoration of the Virgin Islands Transfer Day Centennial. The National Park Service (NPS) will also host a series of events in the afternoon. The NPS has also said that King Street and Hospital Street will be closed to vehicular traffic beginning at 7 a.m., and will be reopened by 1 p.m.

The events to be hosted by the NPS are:

12:30-1:30 p.m: New park exhibits inside Fort Christianvaern will be unveiled by Dr. Meredith Hardy of the NPS Southeast Archaeological Center. The exhibits speak to the history of St. Croix from 1650 CE to present.  The national anthem will be performed by Students from St. Patrick’s Elementary School. They will also perform on the piano and steel pans. Other attendees will include students from Ricardo Richards Elementary, Eulalie Rivera Elementary, and St. Mary’s Catholic School.

1:30-2:30 p.m: Park Superintendent Joel Tutein will give opening remarks, followed by Mr. Myron Allick Sackey, who will speak about the ancestry of the Ghanaian Sackey clan and the history of Fort Christiansvaern,

2:30-3:30 p.m.: Attending students will break from the program to enjoy snacks and refreshments.

3:30 – 4:30 p.m.: Items to be placed in a Centennial time capsule will be presented by students from Complex High School and Central High School, followed by the interpretation of the historical significance of transfer day through skits by the students.

4:30 – 5:00 p.m.: Ranger Gregory Camacho will conclude the events with closing comments and students will then depart on school buses.

5:30 – 7:30 p.m.: Guests on park grounds will be serenaded by Jazz musicians throughout the evening.

8:00 – 8:30 p.m.   Guests will enjoy a commemorative fireworks display, sponsored by the Frederiksted Economic Development Association, from the Fort Christiansvaern grounds. This will officially conclude the Transfer Day Centennial events.

The National Park Service extends its gratitude to the public for complying with the road closings and participating in the events. If you have any questions, you may contact Ranger Gregory Camacho at 340-773-1460.