ARE THERE MUSEUMS IN ST. THOMAS?
Yes, and these are the best (only) museums in St. Thomas.
Admittedly, St. Thomas isn’t known for its museums. Which stinks because St. Thomas history is jam packed with strange, unique and ruthless characters and events. There are a few museums in St. Thomas worth visiting if you would like to see some of the artifacts and learn about the island’s wild history. You can see exhibits that include rare coins, maps, artwork, photos and cultural artifacts. Each museum below can be explored in an hour or two and you could go through the entire list in a morning or afternoon. You can also jump on a tour that will visit a few of the museums on our Historic Walking Tours.
1. 13 Wimmelskafts Slave Home
200-year-old home to african People
This row house is the former slave and servant’s quarters for a grand estate located in downtown Charlotte Amalie.
There is a craft distillery located within the grounds which only adds to the overall experience of this museum. Walking through the doors will feel like walking back in time to the age of rum’s golden years.
Old barrels line the beautiful brick and stone walls. You’ll have several hosts throughout the slave house that will share with you the history of the island’s rum past. Besides the distillery the other rooms and walls have old maps and artifacts from both famous and infamous folks.
The original owner of the slave quarters was a wealthy merchant family. This is a handwritten family tree with a coat of arms drawn beautifully dating back hundreds of years.
Behind the home is a tropical garden with a mini-arboretum with plaques discussing various events, peoples and plants and their roles in the island’s culture.
You can sit and relax inside the museum or outside in the garden. There are drinks for purchase and a gift shop for souvenirs.
They offer guided tours rum tastings and mixology classes. Plenty of alcohol is included.
Best for: Caribbean lovers, rum afficionados, hot sauce lovers, slavery-era history buffs, reggae/calypso geeks Admission: Free Location: Old Town Charlotte Amalie.
HOW TO VISIT: Located in Charlotte Amalie at 13 Wimmelskafts Gade (Back Street) just around the corner from Main Street. The hours vary during the week – often keeping to the cruise ship schedule. So if there are ships in town, the museum will be open. Parking is plentiful at Fort Christian, just a 5-minute walk from the Slave House. Or, you can have a taxi driver drop you off right out front.
2. French Heritage Museum
In the Heart of Frenchtown
The French Heritage Museum is a small museum that includes items from the island’s fishing community of French descent. A wonderfully vibrant sub-culture in St. Thomas were the French fisherman and farmers that moved to St. Thomas. You’ll see old photos, fishing gear and bric-a-brac.
You’ll find the museum in Frenchtown, just a short ride or walk from downtown Charlotte Amalie.
Best for: Local history buffs, fishing buffs Admission: Free (donations welcome) Location: Frenchtown, Charlotte Amalie.
HOW TO VISIT: Tucked in next to the Frenchtown Baseball Field, this tiny museum has varied hours so call ahead. There is street parking but it’s limited. The museum is a 15=minute walk from Fort Christian Parking lot.
3. Historical Trust Museum
Furniture, Books and Artifacts
Furniture, Pre-Columbian artifacts, old photos and books are part of the inventory at the Historical Trust Museum. Free entry and you can peruse the exhibits in this single-room museum. The staff there is ready to answer any questions.
Located in the heart of Charlotte Amalie, you’ll definitely want to make a stop here.
Best for: History buffs, book lovers, bric-a-brac afficianados Admission: Free (donations welcome) Location: Old Town Charlotte Amalie.
HOW TO VISIT: Open during most cruise ship days, the museum is on Raadets Gade a street connecting Main Street and Waterfront Drive.
4. Pirate’s Museum
Sunken Treasure Exhibits
Located just outside of Charlotte Amalie in Havensight you’ll find the Pirate’s Museum. They charge $16 for adults and $12 for kids.
The museum includes treasures found on various shipwrecks and the exhibits include coins, bottles and other artifacts pulled from the sea. The staff is knowledgeable and able to answer most questions. The highlight for my kids is always the gift shop with all things pirate and even sunken treasure for sale.
Best for: Pirates of all ages, treasure seekers Admission: $20 Location: Havensight area
HOW TO VISIT: Located across from Havensight Mall and the WICO Cruise Ship Dock, the Pirate’s Museum is open almost every day with plentiful parking.
5. Seven Arches Museum
House Frozen in Time
Tucked into the hillside of Government Hill on one of Charlotte Amalie’s famous step streets, the Seven Arches Museum is a fun stop on a town tour. Finding it feels like discovering a hidden treasure. The building itself is the attraction – a living example of 18th-century architecture from the era when St. Thomas was still the Danish West Indies.
Built with stone shipped from Denmark, the home has been restored to look as it would have under its original owners many decades ago. Highlights include a peaceful courtyard, a sweeping view of Charlotte Amalie harbor that alone is worth the climb up the steps to get there. The whole place has a frozen-in-time quality that’s hard to find anywhere else on the island.
Best for: Curiosity seekers, photographers Admission: Free (donations welcome) Location: Government Hill, Charlotte Amalie.
HOW TO VISIT: You’ll be walking for this one. Park at Fort Christian and enjoy the 3-minute stroll. Located down from 99 Steps on Government Hill. You’ll need to call ahead to schedule a visit.
6. Fort Christian
Military Fortification
Fort Christian was built between 1672 and 1680 by the first successful Danish colony in the Caribbean. Until 1917, the fort was the center of administrative and military might of the Danish colony. It is the oldest standing structure in St. Thomas.
Today it houses the Fort Christian Museum which includes some exhibits on the Danish colonial era but its claim to fame are the incredible views at the top of the fortification. Standing atop, looking into Charlotte Amalie Harbour, you are transported back in time.
You’ll also have unfettered access to the holding cells that used to act as a prison, used as recently as the 1980s.
Best for: History buffs, photographers Admission: $10 Location: On the waterfront in Old Town Charlotte Amalie.
HOW TO VISIT: Park in Fort Christian parking lot and the massive red exterior will be staring at you. Taxis are also able to drop you right at the front steps. The Fort is open during the week during regular business hours but it is closed on government holidays.
You can find some amazing and charming history located in our museums. Remember, it doesn’t always have to be about beaches and boats. And while St. Thomas might not have the Louvre, but we do have a few gems worth a visit.
