Zane and I had the opportunity of visiting Fort Frederik, or Frederiksfort, early this morning. As new travelers to St. Croix, we were eager to learn more about the island and its history. A mid-eighteenth-century fortress seemed the perfect place to submerse ourselves in St. Croix’s story. As we walked over to the fort, its blood red paint and massive cannons facing the ocean drew us in. We knew we were in for an adventure before we even made it through the door.
Walking through the fort, we learned extensive information about St. Croix’s early history. Named after the Danish King Frederik V., Fort Frederik was purchased by the Danish in 1733. Danish colonists used the fort to protect the island from smugglers, prevent attacks from invading pirates and countries, and keep order within their colony of enslaved people. Instead of bombarding you with the years of detailed history in Fort Frederik, you should come check out the fort in person. The museum has all the information you could want about St. Croix’s past and Fort Frederik’s historical events, such as “the Emancipation Revolt of 1848, the 1878 Labor Riot and Fireburn, and one of the 1917 ceremonies transferring the Virgin Islands to the United States,” (https://www.nps.gov/places/fort-frederiksted-usvi.htm). Plus, history is always more compelling when you get to see it in person.
Each area of the fort tells a different part of St. Croix’s history. Our guided map led us through the fort into rooms that each had their own theme. One of our favorite rooms was the “Powder Magazine” room. Not only were the walls decorated with rich history of the island, but the room was filled with beautiful multicolored sea glass and artifacts. I think we spent a solid 10 minutes just looking at the shelves of historic treasure in that room.
There is something for everyone at Fort Frederik. History fanatics can fill their brains with tons of information about the formation of St. Croix. Also, compared to other historic landmarks, Fort Frederik had a quiet, personal atmosphere where we felt like we had the fort to ourselves. We appreciated that we could enjoy the museum without the hassle of the site being overcrowded. Fort Frederik has so much opportunity for people who want to immerse themselves in the culture of St. Croix.
Even those who are impartial to learning about history can appreciate Fort Frederik. There’s no competing with the views and breeze on top of the fort. Even with the sun beating down, we immediately felt energized in the salty air of the open second story. Also, there were plenty of photo opportunities for those who love pictures overlooking the gorgeous bay. Oh, and did we mention there are cannons? We probably could have sat up there all day and admired the view.
Fort Frederik should be a staple on your traveling itinerary. We could make this article an essay by discussing every detail we learned about St. Croix and its people, but it’s better for you to come experience it for yourself. You’ll be grateful you took time to come see this coastal fortress.
Beautiful photos and great article!!