147th Anniversary of Contract Day; $750K to Restore Ft. Frederik

M.A. Dworkin

USVI - Governor Albert Bryan Jr. released the following statement in commemoration of the observance of the 147th anniversary of Contract Day.

“On October 1, 1878, Mary ‘Queen Mary’ Thomas, Mathilda ‘Queen Mathilda’ McBean and Axeline ‘Queen Agnes’ Salomon stood against an unjust system that bound workers under the harsh terms of the Labor Acct of 1849. Contracts renewed only once a year left laborers with meager wages and little dignity. On that day, the people rose, and the fires that spread from Fort Frederik through the west of St. Croix carried with them a clear message: Virgin Islanders would no longer suffer in silence.

“Today, 147 years later, we honor the legacy of those Queens and countless laborers whose courage lit the path toward fairness and justice. Their struggle is not a relic of the past. It is a reminder that progress comes when people demand dignity, and when leaders act with courage to deliver it.

“In our time, we see that legacy in the work we continue to do. We have expanded pathways to homeownership, making it possible for Virgin Islanders to claim a stake in the land their ancestors fought to till. We have advanced initiatives to diversify our economy and strengthen our workforce, ensuring that opportunity is not limited but shared. We have championed projects that gave Virgin Islanders the tools to rise, not just for today, but for generations to come.

“Contract Day reminds us that the time of Fireburn is still alive. It burns not with destruction, but with the light of justice, progress and resilience. Let us carry that light forward as we continue to build a Virgin Islands rooted in fairness, opportunity and the dignity of work. 

“Today, we honor Queen Mary, Queen Mathilda, Queen Agnes, Susanna ‘Bottom’ Belly Abrahamson, Rebecca Frederik and all who stood in defiance. Their courage is our inheritance, and their legacy is our change.”

DPNR Secures $750K Grant to Restore Historic Fort Frederik

Commissioner Jean-Pierre L. Oriol of the Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) announced that the Division of Libraries, Archives and Museums (DLAM) has been awarded a $750,000 grant from the National Park Service’s Semi Quincentennial Grant Program. These funds will support critical preservation and restoration efforts at the Fort Frederik National Historic Landmark Site Museum in Frederiksted, St. Croix. 

The Semi Quincentennial Grant Program, established by Congress in 2020, is a highly competitive initiative designed to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the United States. It provides funding to restore and preserve sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places that reflect the nation’s founding history. 

Fort Frederik holds a significant place in American history. During the American Revolution, the Fort - then part of the Danish colony - served as a vital safe harbor for trade, including the transport of arms and ammunition. Wealthy merchants and planters from St. Croix, many with direct ties to the thirteen colonies, played an active role in financing the revolution. The island’s thriving sugar and rum trade generated profits that helped fund military operations and sustain the Continental Army, contributing essential resources and manpower to the fight for independence.

The grant will fund a comprehensive restoration at Fort Frederik, including:

• Roof repairs

• Masonry and plaster restoration

• Electrical and plumbing upgrades

• Enhanced security systems

• Installation of new guardrails

• Accessibility improvements

The project is scheduled to span three years, with work expected to begin in late December 2025 or early January 2026. 

“We are thrilled to receive this funding to restore Fort Frederik Museum,” said Commissioner Oriol. “This site is a cornerstone of our cultural heritage, and DPNR remains committed to preserving historic landmarks for future generations.”