Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Governor Peter von Scholten issued his 1848 Proclamation of Emancipation here, which
freed all the slaves in the Danish West Indies. Exhibits in the museum now housed inside
explain the event, and also provide lessons on colonial architecture, the sugar industry and
more.
The fort has served as a jail, courthouse, police station, fire station and telephone ex-
change. In 1976 island conservationists restored the structure. The local government now
manages the property (unlike Christiansted's fort, which the federal government oversees).
Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts
MUSEUM
( 340-772-2622;
www.cmcarts.org
; 62 King St; suggested donation $3;
11am-6pm Tue-Sat)
Housed in an 18th-century Danish townhouse on the waterfront, the
Caribbean Museum hangs vibrant local and international artworks. The exhibits rotate reg-
ularly, and though the museum is not expansive, it's definitely worth a browse.
Buddhoe Park
PARK
This small, tree-shaded park lies outside the eastern ramparts of Fort Frederik. Today, it's
a good place to escape the sun on a hot day, but on July 3, 1848, the spot was a wild place
when Moses 'General Budhoe' (also spelled 'Buddhoe') Gottlieb led 'all the Negroes in
this part of the country in revolt.' Bells sounded from every church and plantation on the
island, and 6000 to 8000 slaves, all armed with machetes and bludgeons, congregated here
in front of the gate to Fort Frederik to demand and receive their freedom.
Victoria House
HISTORICAL BUILDING
(7-8StrandSt)
This large residence, near Market St, sits back from the sidewalk and rises
three stories as one of the most elaborately detailed buildings in the Virgin Islands. Largely
destroyed in the 1878 fire, the house has been rebuilt in a Victorian 'gingerbread' style, in-
cluding a great deal of ornamental latticework. The house remains a private residence and
is not open to the public.
Market Square
MARKET
(nearMarketSt&QueenSt)
If you head east on Market St from Strand St into the heart
of the small town, you will find Market Square, where the corners of the blocks have been
cut away at the intersection of Market and Queen Sts to make room for vendors. This has
been Frederiksted's marketplace for 250 years, but don't expect a lot of vendors now that
