The Virgin Islands Department of Planning and Natural Resources is inviting the public to help shape the future of exhibits at Fort Frederik Museum on St. Croix as officials move forward with plans to reimagine the historic landmark as a center for Virgin Islands history, culture and community storytelling.
During a Wednesday virtual town hall, DPNR officials and museum consultants outlined preliminary concepts for new exhibits that would explore the history of the U.S. Virgin Islands through themes including Indigenous heritage, migration, colonialism, slavery, resistance, emancipation, labor movements, cultural creativity and the transfer of the territory from Danish to American rule. The project is currently in its conceptual phase, with officials emphasizing that community feedback will play a critical role in determining the museum’s final direction. A similar meeting was held on Tuesday for Fort Christian Museum on St. Thomas.
Monica Marin, DPNR’s chief curator and project lead, said the goal is to create a museum experience that “reclaims, honors and memorializes the authentic stories of Frederiksted and St. Croix” while connecting local history to broader Caribbean and global narratives. She noted that Fort Frederik and Fort Christian, both national historic monuments, will share some interpretive themes while maintaining exhibits unique to their respective islands and communities.
Among the proposed exhibit topics are the island’s original Indigenous inhabitants, the impact of European colonization, the role of Fort Frederik in the 1848 Emancipation Uprising, post-emancipation labor struggles, and the contributions of Virgin Islanders to the global Black liberation movement. Officials also highlighted plans to incorporate oral histories, personal narratives and local artistic perspectives throughout the museum experience.
Community members offered several suggestions during the discussion, including the creation of a family history center where residents and visitors could research genealogy and document family connections to the Virgin Islands. Participants pointed to successful models at other museums, including the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., and a museum in St. Barts that allows families to contribute genealogical information through interactive displays.
DPNR officials responded favorably to the idea, noting that plans are already being considered for dedicated spaces where oral histories and community memories can be recorded and preserved. The concept aligns with broader goals of making the museum a place where residents can document their own connections to Fort Frederik and the island’s history.
Questions were also raised about accessibility and the use of exhibit space within the historic structure. Participants noted that portions of the fort, including upper levels, may present challenges for visitors with mobility limitations. In response, Marin said potential technological solutions such as augmented reality and virtual tours would allow visitors to experience otherwise inaccessible areas of the fort.
Additional exhibit concepts presented during the meeting included immersive projections, augmented reality experiences, audio stations, interactive document displays, recording booths for oral histories, tactile exhibits, commissioned artwork by local artists and rotating community-curated exhibits. Officials said these features would help bring historical narratives to life while ensuring the museum remains engaging for students, visitors and residents alike.
Assistant Commissioner Jozette Walker explained that funding for the conceptual design work comes through a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration. Approximately $500,000 was awarded for exhibit planning at both Fort Frederik and Fort Christian museums.
DPNR is encouraging the public to participate in an online survey and submit feedback on exhibit themes, design concepts and priorities. Officials said community input gathered through the survey and town hall meetings will be compiled and provided to exhibit designers as the project moves into its next phase.
