St. Thomas is a district of the United States Virgin islands and is a beautiful island in the Caribbean Sea. Its wealth of beach resorts and recreational offerings makes it a relaxing place to visit. As you enjoy all that your St. Thomas beach resort has to offer, try to make time to explore the museums and historical areas of the island as well.
Charlotte Amalie and Government Hill
Charlotte Amalie is the largest city on St. Thomas and the capital city of the U.S. Virgin Islands. Currently, Charlotte Amalie is a busy cruise ship port of call, but the city dates back to the 17th century when pirates were abundant in the area. Charlotte Amalie is the largest historic area on St. Thomas.
Government Hill is a neighborhood in Charlotte Amalie and is home to many historic houses, sites and buildings. This includes the Government House, which was built in the mid-1800s as a meeting place for the Danish Colonial Council and now houses the governor's office. Tours of this historic government building require an appointment. Admission is free.
The Hotel 1829 is another one of Government Hill's historic sites. Built in 1829 as a home for a wealthy French man, the hotel contains many of its original features. The kitchen is now a popular bar and visitors are allowed to tour the hotel and learn about its history. No admission charge.
Between the Government House and Hotel 1829 is the 99 Steps staircase. The staircase was built by the Danes during the 1700s and actually has 103 steps. This site is historic because it contains the original bricks from the 1700s. The staircase is steep and leads to a hill that boasts views of Charlotte Amelie. There is no admission charge. Any of these locations make a nice day trip from your St. Thomas resort.
Fort Christian
In another area of Charlotte Hill is Fort Christian. Built in the 1600s, Fort Christian is the oldest building on St. Thomas and is a US National Historic Landmark. Originally, the Danish government used the fort during their occupation of the island, and it has served as a town center, jail and government building. Today the fort holds the St. Thomas Museum. It houses exhibits, photos, documentation and artifacts from the time of the island's Danish period. The museum's rooftop offers panoramic views of Charlotte Amalie. Admission for children 15 and under is free.
Seven Arches Museum
Charlotte Amalie is also home to the Seven Arches Museum. Seven Arches was once a private home and was recently restored as an example of the 17th and 18th century Danish life. The house is also an example of Danish-West Indian architecture, contains period furniture and has its original features from the 1600s. The museum houses Danish-West Indian coins, stationery and dishes used by the house's original owners. The museum charges a small admission fee.
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