Historic Sites

Historic Sites

Thanks to our millennia-spanning history of the British Virgin Islands, this part of the world is brimming with stories — from the sea, the shores and the mountain tops. Tales of piracy, the dawn of global trade and early settlers live on in the forts, mines, museums, churches, burial sites and plantation estates around the islands. Shore to shore across the islands, you’ll find a myriad of opportunities to dig into the past. Pay a visit to the scenes of our antiquity, and gain an invaluable perspective on our role within the Caribbean.

1780 LOWER ESTATE SUGAR WORKS

1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works
Road Town
British Virgin Islands
(284) 494-9206

The 1780 Lower Estate Sugar Works was built by the McCleverty slaves. Sugar was produced here until the 1940s. During the 19th century its Timber frame became what is believed to have been the first Virgin Islands Guest House. 1900: By now the Government had acquired the Works, added a one storey building in front of the Magazine, and installed the machines for a Cotton Factory. the Agriculture Department managed the Complex, supervised the sugar production and the ginning and pressing of cotton. In 1904: 1,250lbs of cotton was pressed and 5,200 in 1912. Lime juice was also produced here: 252 barrels in 1908 and 800 in 1912. Today it now houses a Museum; be sure to stop by and check out examples of how life used to be. In addition, there are also monthly art exhibitions at museum. Opening Hours are: Monday - Friday from 9am - 3pm The Department of Culture's Museums of the Virgin Islands brochure.

Currently closed for repairs until further notice.

A House With Bushes In Front Of A Building

BRITANNIC HALL

Britannic Hall
Road Town
British Virgin Islands

Built in 1910, this historic building was the site of physician’s surgery. This building now houses the offices of Smith’s Gore Real Estate.

CALLWOOD RUM DISTILLERY

Callwood Rum Distillery
Cane Garden Bay
British Virgin Islands

Callwood's on Facebook

This site features the original structure of a Sugar Cane distillery. Visitors to this rustic site can purchase samples of rum. The original boiler still operates and produces rum, which is then stored in original casks. The old guard house is also intact and has been turned into an art gallery and gift shop.

FORT BURT

Fort Burt
Road Town
British Virgin Islands

Rebuilt by the English in 1776 and named after William Burt, Governor of the Leeward Islands. Originally built approximately 20ft above sea level, this site offers breathtaking views of Road Harbour and the surrounding islands. This commanding site offered defence to Road Harbour and features foundations, magazine and cannon remains of this historic ruin. Presently the site of a hotel and restaurant, meals are served during lunch and dinner.

HER MAJESTY’S PRISON MUSEUM

In 2011, Premier and Minister for Tourism, Dr. the Honourable D. Orlando Smith, announced that the Government of the Virgin Islands would work on preserving and restoring the historical sites on all islands to promote their importance as part of the tourism strategy. Following on this, the refurbishment of the HM Prison to a museum started in 2014 following the submission of a comprehensive plan submitted by the late Captain Hugh Whistler. Funding was secured from the Ministry of Communication and Works and Captain Whistler served as the project manager overseeing signi cant renovation and repair work, as well as the installation of interpretation information.

HM Prison Brochure (page 1)

HM Proson Brocure (page 2)

After the passing of Capt. Whistler in 2015 and a lull in additional works, the project was given new energy in mid-2016 by the Hon. Premier Dr. D. Orlando Smith, who expressly wished to see the facility operational in time for the high tourist season. This was tasked to The BVI Tourist Board and the Of ce of the City Manager, who worked assiduously with historians of H. Lavity Stoutt Community College and other stakeholders to ensure the facility’s formal opening to the public on December 6th, 2016.

JOST VAN DYKE PRESERVATION SOCIETY

Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society
Great Harbour
British Virgin Islands
(284) 540-0861
susan@jvdps.org

Preservation Society's Website

Sloop Project: In an effort to preserve an important piece of Jost Van Dyke’s maritime tradition, the JVD Preservation Society has embarked on an ambitious plan to build and sail a replica of a Tortola sloop. The sloop, christened Endeavor, is under construction in Great Harbour. The building project is an educational effort that involves local school children. They learn the history of the boats as they help to build the sailing craft from the keel up. Visitors can view the sloop building project behind Foxy’s bar and visit the Jost Van Dyke Preservation Society’s office at Great Harbour to learn more about the island.

LITTLE FORT NATIONAL PARK

Little Fort National Park

British Virgin Islands
(284) 494-2069
bvinpt@bvinationalparkstrust.org

National Parks Trust's Website

Established in 1978 | Area: 36 acres Little Fort National Park can be found just south of the Yacht Harbour. It was the site of a Spanish fortress and some masonry walls still exist on the hillside, including the ruins of a structure called the Powder House. The 36-acre area is also a wildlife sanctuary. National Parks Trust's Description: Hidden amongst the enormous boulders at Fort Point, between Spanish Town and Big Trunk Bay is Little Fort. The site includes a small forfication and masonry ruins, including a munitions store on the hillside. Access is very difficult at this undeveloped site, as hikers must cross the rugged terrain and dense vegetation. The only area readily accessible for entrance into the park is located at the seashore, from here a difficult hiking trail leads to the munitions store. Three walls surround a small magazine room, sheltered by a ceiling made for mortar and stone. Thick stonewalls have prevented the structure from total collapse, although overgrown vegetation and tree roots have inundated the ruins. Epiphytes (plants that grow on another plant but are not parasitic), such as bromeliads (Bromelia sp.) are common in this area. Pitch apple trees (Clusia rosea) and mature silk cotton trees (Ceiba pentandra) flourish here. Turtle nesting is known to occur at Valey Trunk Bay, just below the southern boundary of Fort Point National Park.

A Close Up Of A Street Sign With Trees In The Background

MAIN STREET

Road Town
British Virgin Islands

In addition to serving as Road Town's main shopping district, Main Street contains several historical landmarks including the Post Office built in the mid 1800s, St. George's Anglican Church, Britannic Hall and the Virgin Islands' Folk Museum.

A Stone Building That Has A Sign On A Brick Tower

MOUNT HEALTHY NATIONAL PARK

Mount Healthy National Park

British Virgin Islands
(284) 494-2069
bvinpt@bvinationalparkstrust.org

National Parks Trust's Website

Established in 1983 | Area: 1 acre Mount Healthy on Tortola features the intact remains of a thickly walled stone windmill, once part of an 18th century sugar plantation. It is the only such windmill on Tortola. The park can be reached along the road which leads from Ridge Road down to Brewer's Bay, located on Tortola's north shore. The 18th century windmill located at Mount Healthy, belonged to the area's wealthiest planner. Slaves harvested and processed raw cane into sugar at this extensive sugar cane cultivation. Other ruins on the property included the boiling house, and remnants of the animal mill round, distillery, hospital, storage shed, and housing, some of which can be seen on private property in the area. National Parks Trust's Description: This 18th century windmill was once used for grinding the sugarcane, farmed from the stepp slopes on the north shore of Tortola. This was once part of a thriving 250 acre plantation where enslaved Africans cultivated the sugarcane on the terraced slopes and processed it into sugar which was then shipped to Britain for sale. Across the road from the windmill lie the ruins of the mill round, which was powered by animals, the factory with boiling house, the distiller, hospital and living quarters. Mount Healthy windmill is the last remaining windmill in the BVI and was constructed from field rubble. The large arched apertures are accented by cut stone blocks. These functional openings were used for carrying the sugar cane into the mill for grinding and the crushed cane (bagasse) out. The circular walls of the windmill were often six of more feet at the base, tapering up to three feet at the top to a truncated cone. Following the abolition of enslavement in 1834, workers from the Mt. Healthy estate could buy land to cultivate for themselves. However the sugar industry deteriorated after a series of disastrous hurricanes in the 1830s and drouht in the 1850s, resulting in the windmill becoming a relic.

NORTH SHORE SHELL MUSEUM

North Shore Shell Museum
Carrot Bay
British Virgin Islands

A cluttered museum in Carrot Bay, with thousands of shells on display, as well as model boats and various crafts.

OLD GOVERNMENT HOUSE

Old Government House
Road Town
British Virgin Islands
284-494-4091
mchapman@oghm.org

Old Government House Museum Website

Old Government House Museum welcomes visitors Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

The Old Government House was the official residence of the Monarch's representative in the Territory from 1926-1996 and has operated as a museum since 2003. The museum and its gift shop cater to tourists, students and residents alike. The building can also be utilized to host receptions, weddings and corporate events.

Admission for tourists is $5 and $2 for residents. There is no charge for students or tourists under 12 years old. Donations are welcomed to help defray the costs of ongoing restoration.

To learn more about the Old Government House Museum, visit their website www.oghm.org or call 1-284-468-3505.

Old Government House Museum is an ongoing project that seeks funds, furniture & artifacts to display the story of the Governors Residence. Built in 1880 & then again in 1926, the building was closed as a residence in 1996. It is now open to the public as a museum.

RMS RHONE MARINE PARK

RMS Rhone

British Virgin Islands
(284) 494-2069
bvinpt@bvinationalparkstrust.org

National Parks Trust's Website

Established in1980 | Area: 800 acres (including Dead Chest Island) The Wreck of the Rhone is the first and only Marine National Park in the British Virgin Islands. It is the most celebrated dive site in the BVI, and a major recreational attraction. The park includes examples of fringing reef habitat and sea grass beds. The wreck is that of a Royal Mail Steamer, which sunk during the hurricane of 1867 with 125 people on board. At 310 feet long and 40 feet wide, the wreck of the Royal Mail Steamer lies in two main parts in waters between 30 and 90 feet deep. Much of it is still intact and visible, including decking, parts of the rigging, the steam engine, and propeller. The marine park stretches from Lee Bay on Salt Island westward to include Dead Chest Island. The ship's anchor broke away outside Great Harbour, Peter Island, and this site forms the second portion of the park. The park is used by several commercial dive operators daily. Other dive sites in the park include Rhone Reef, Blonde Rock, and Painted Walls. Anchoring is strictly prohibited in the area in and around the Rhone. The National Parks Trust has installed mooring buoys for use by all commercial, charter, and private vessels. If moorings are unavailable around the Rhone, vessels are required to use the Salt Island Settlement or Peter Island anchorages.

ROAD TOWN METHODIST CHURCH

Road Town Methodist Church
Road Town
British Virgin Islands
(284) 494-2198
methodistbvi@gmail.com

The wall of the present chapel was rebuilt and dedicated in 1926 after the previous structure was destroyed by hurricane. Regular services are held there weekly.

SIR OLVA GEORGES PLAZA

Sir Olva Georges Plaza
Road Town
British Virgin Islands

This courtyard like area was the site of much commerce and trading in the early 1940-1960’s. Named are the first BVIslander to be knighted, Sir Olva Georges, this area houses the Royal Virgin Islands Police Headquarters and other commercial buildings. Sir James Olva Georges, O.B.E., M.B.E., K.B. (14 July 1980 to 27th March 1976) A distinguished public servant, community leader and member of the legislative and Executive Councils of Virgin Islands. Sir Olva Georges acted as Commissioner or Administrator during the absences of Her Majesty's Representative in the Territory. He also worked in his family's business, J.E.W. Georges General Store and served in various capacities in the Road Town Methodist Church. Because of his outstanding service to the Territory, he was knighted by Her Majesty the Queen Elizabeth II on 20th July 1971. In 1973, this location which up to the early 1970's served as the public marketplace was named the Sir Olva Georges Plaza in his honour. This monument was dedicated to his memory at a ceremony held on 18th April 2010.

ST. PHILLIPS ANGLICAN CHURCH

St. Phillips Anglican Church
Kingston
British Virgin Islands

Constructed in 1840, St. Phillips is said to be the first church built for liberated Africans in all the Americas and it will undergo a complete restoration in the near future.

SUNDAY MORNING WELL

Sunday Morning Well
Road Town
British Virgin Islands

This landmark symbolizes the area for the emancipation proclamation in 1834.

A Rocky Island In The Middle Of A Body Of Water

THE COPPER MINE

The Copper Mine

British Virgin Islands
(284) 494-2069
bvinpt@bvinationalparkstrust.org

NPT's Website

Established in 2003 | Area: 18.36 acres The prominent landmark dominates Mine Hill, on the cliffs of the south-eastern tip of Virgin Gorda. Surrounding the Copper Mine ruins there are many granite rock outcroppings, with additional deposits of quartz, feldspars, tin copper and other clay minerals. This abandoned copper mine played an important role in the history of Virgin Gorda. Spaniards passing through the BVI were the first Europeans to mine coppers here in the early 18th century. However, Cornish miners built the ruins that remain today in the 1800s, following a decline in mineral deposits in Cornwall, England. The mine closed in 1862 due to escalating expenses and low market prices. As many as 130 Cornish labourers and their families lived on Virgin Gorda during this time. The ruins of their housing area and the operations centre, containing the powerhouse, mine shafts, cisterns, engine house and chimney are still visible scattered across the slopes. Well before the Cornish and Spanish miners arrived, Amerindians used the area for copper. The copper was used to make tools and jewellery that was traded with other indigenous people from other islands. Restoration efforts began in 1998 to stabilise the ruins, beginning with the engine house, with the assistance of experts from Cornwall, England. Mine Hill is also a habitat for the White-tailed Tropicbirds (Phaeton lepturus) that nest in the rocky cliff crevices by the sea close to the southeastern corner of the Cornish Engine House. Departing from their seaside nests, they dive from incredible heights in order to feed on marine species. Voted "Best Historical Hotspot"

THE DUNGEON (FORT PURCELL)

The Dungeon
West End
British Virgin Islands

Located near Pockwood Pond, halfway between Road Town and West End, this fort was built in 1794 and housed a garrison of soldiers responsible for protecting the islands. This site is about to undergo a rehabilitation project. Check back for future updates.

THE NOEL LLOYD/ POSITIVE ACTION MOVEMENT PARK

The Noel Lloyd / P.A.M. Park
Road Town
British Virgin Islands

This park symbolizes the struggle and opposition of locals to the Bates Hill Agreement which would have prevented locals from accessing this area except for jobs as servants. Pioneer Noel Lloyd championed this cause and the FCO agreed to buy back leases of Wickham’s Cay in 1970. Today, a life size statute of Noel Lloyd and face plates of other members of PAM stands in memory of their efforts.

A House That Has A Sign On The Side Of A Road

THORNTON PLANTATION

Thornton Plantation
Pleasant Valley
British Virgin Islands

This plantation was the birthplace of one of Tortola's most famous sons. Architect William Thornton prepared his first plans for the new United States Capitol building here. Ruins of the Thornton family's Pleasant Valley sugar factory still stand.

VI MARITIME MUSEUM

HLSCC Marine Centre
East End
British Virgin Islands
(284) 852-7169
info@hlscc.edu.vg

Closed until futher notice.

The British Virgin Islands developed as one of the four major boat building centres in the Lesser Antilles over the course of the last two centuries. As early as the 18th century local entrepreneurs using sailing vessels began to trade throughout the Caribbean. Out of this activity evolved a type of trading sloop known as the "Tortola Boat" which is unique in its design and around which grew the culture and economy of the BVI. The exact original type of sloop that the "Tortola Boat" evolved from is not known, but it has been established that the design that we know today is unique to our territory. Located on the second floor of the Centre of Applied Marine Studies at the H. Lavity Stoutt Community College in Paraquita Bay, Tortola is found the Virgin Islands Maritime Museum. The Museum founded in March 2005 is dedicated to preserving the Maritime Heritage of the Virgin Islands through displays, photographs and educational outreach programs. Opening hours are: Monday - Friday from 8:30am to 4:30pm. The Department of Culture's Museums of the Virgin Islands brochure.

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