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Annaberg Sugar Plantation: A Window into St. John's History

Explore the poignant ruins of Annaberg Sugar Plantation in St. John, offering a glimpse into the island's 18th-century history and the lives of enslaved people.

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Explore the ruins of Annaberg Sugar Plantation in St. John, a preserved historical site within the Virgin Islands National Park. This former Danish colony offers a glimpse into 18th-century sugar production and the lives of enslaved Africans who labored here, with remains including a windmill, factory, and slave quarters.

A brief summary to Annaberg Sugar Plantation

  • Monday 8 am-5 pm
  • Tuesday 8 am-5 pm
  • Wednesday 8 am-5 pm
  • Thursday 8 am-5 pm
  • Friday 8 am-5 pm
  • Saturday 8 am-5 pm
  • Sunday 8 am-5 pm

Local tips

  • Wear comfortable shoes for walking on uneven terrain.
  • Bring water and sunscreen, as the site offers limited shade.
  • Visit early in the morning or late in the afternoon to avoid crowds.
  • Check the Virgin Islands National Park website for updated information and possible demonstrations.
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Getting There

  • Walking

    From the Annaberg Plantation parking area, the ruins are a short walk away. The trail from the parking lot to the historic district is fairly steep and rocky. Once among the buildings, the trail is relatively flat and easy to walk.

  • Public Transport

    From Cruz Bay, take the VITRAN bus Route 301 towards Annaberg. The bus stop is located near the entrance of Annaberg Plantation. The one-way fare is $1. Check the VITRAN schedule for accurate timings.

  • Taxi

    From Cruz Bay, a taxi to Annaberg Plantation will cost approximately $20-$25. Negotiate the fare before starting the ride. The journey takes around 20-30 minutes, depending on traffic.

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Discover more about Annaberg Sugar Plantation

Annaberg Sugar Plantation, located on the north shore of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands, is a significant historical site offering a poignant glimpse into the island's past. As part of the Virgin Islands National Park, the ruins are preserved to educate visitors about the sugar production era and the lives of those who lived and worked on the plantation. Established in 1721 by Christopher William Gottschalk, the plantation was named after his daughter Anna. Annaberg grew to become one of the largest and most successful plantations on St. John. The plantation produced sugar, molasses, and rum for export. The ruins include a windmill tower, a factory, and former slave quarters. Visitors can explore the partially restored sugar factory and learn about the process of sugar production, a major industry in the Caribbean during that time. The landscape of Annaberg was transformed by enslaved laborers, who cleared the heavily forested hillsides and terraced the slopes to make farming possible. The work was grueling, with slaves working long hours planting, harvesting, and processing the sugarcane. The remnants of the sixteen slave cabins that were found in the Annaberg area are still visible, and placards indicate where the cabins were located and describe them. The windmill, likely built between 1810 and 1830, stands as one of the largest in the Virgin Islands. The wind-powered blades turned the rollers that crushed the sugarcane. When there was no wind, a horse mill would be used. The sugarcane juice flowed into a large copper kettle, where a fire was lit beneath. The excess water evaporated, and workers would ladle the juice from one kettle to the next. Today, the Annaberg Sugar Plantation serves as a reminder of the island's complex history and the lives of the enslaved people who shaped it. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the ruins, with signs providing information about the buildings and their uses. The views from Annaberg are spectacular, overlooking Leinster Bay, the Narrows, the Sir Francis Drake Channel, and the British Virgin Islands.

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