September 2009 Newsletter
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St. Thomas Historical Trust Newsletter May 2009
Click the icon to download the May 2009 Newsletter (4.2 MB PDF)
Trust Featured on The Source
We were featured this week on the St Thomas Source!
Hassel Island site visit
On Saturday, June 28th, a small group of our donors and some trust members took a tour of Hassel Island to see what progress has been made. Donors were treated to a light lunch as we started out at The Creque Marine Railway and then headed to Careening Cove. The short tour was well received. We thank Steve Vasuturo and his Pirate Harbor Tours for the use of there beautiful boat for the tour. Thanks once again.
For more information about Hassel Island, visit HasselIsland.org
Successful Fundraiser
The St. Thomas Historical Trust held its kick-off campaign for its Hassel Island Initiative on Saturday, June 9, 2007 at the Hassel Island home of Josefina and Ricardo Charaf. Over a half-million dollars was raised through generous, local donations.
Guests toured Hassel Island harbor aboard the m/v Harbor Cat, kindly donated for the evening by Trudie and Cornelius Prior. Historical commentary was provided by Alton A. Adams, Jr. and Charles Consalvo.
Noted historian George F. Tyson, as the guest speaker, emphasized that throughout the restoration process the contributions made by local residents must be highlighted. Their role in sustaining the economy has the same historical significance as the sites targeted for preservation.
Senator Basil Ottley remarked on the importance of making Hassel Island available to our youth; Hassel Island is significant to us locally as well as globally. Delegate Donna Christensen extended her full support to the Trust and its members in taking on the task of saving Hassel Island. Christensen stated that although Hassel Island sits in the St. Thomas harbor, its history is joined to our history---as Hassel Island was once physically joined to St. Thomas---the history of all the Virgin Islands.
Executive Director of the Trust, Luanne Melchior, estimates that the Hassel Island Initiative will cost upwards of $7,000,000. The current condition of the sites necessitates the immediacy of raising funds, Melchior said. All community members are encouraged to join. Membership makes these events possible.
Efforts to preserve Hassel Island gain traction
This article originally appeared in the The Virgin Islands Daily News:
A nonprofit organization that sought to restore and revitalize Hassel Island's historical sites has announced it will dissolve and throw its support behind the St. Thomas Historical Trust, which also has a goal of helping preserve the island's rich history.
"It seemed to make sense to me: Let's all come together and work to make Hassel Island what it should be," said Rik Van Rensselaer, president of The Hassel Island Preservation Trust.
Continue reading "Efforts to preserve Hassel Island gain traction" »
Group aims to revive efforts to preserve Hassel Island
This article originally appeared in The Virgin Islands Daily News:
ST. THOMAS - A St. Thomas civic group has pledged to take the lead in raising funds and providing volunteers to preserve the historically significant Hassel Island in St. Thomas Harbor.
On a balcony of a private home with a majestic view across the island, St. Thomas Historical Trust president Philip Sturm and Virgin Islands National Park Superintendent Art Frederick on Thursday evening signed an agreement between the two entities.
Continue reading "Group aims to revive efforts to preserve Hassel Island" »
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