Christiansted National Historic Site

25/10/2026

03/10/2026

“The roaring of the sea and wind, fiery meteors flying about in the air, the prodigious glare of almost perpetual lightning, the crash of the falling houses, and the ear-piercing shrieks of the distressed…”

—Alexander Hamilton, St. Croix, September 6, 1772

On October 3, 1772, readers in Christiansted opened the Royal Danish American Gazette to find an extraordinary account of the hurricane that had devastated St. Croix just weeks earlier.

Its author was a teenage Alexander Hamilton.

Hamilton had experienced the August 31 hurricane here on St. Croix. In a letter to his father, he described the terrifying storm and the destruction it left behind. A copy of the letter came to the attention of others on the island, and the Gazette published it, introducing the author simply as a “Youth of this Island.” The Library of Congress preserves the newspaper page https://blogs.loc.gov/catbird/2017/10/see-the-hurricane-letter-that-changed-alexander-hamiltons-life

The publication helped bring wider attention to the young clerk's remarkable ability as a writer. The letter was subsequently used to help raise funds for Hamilton to pursue an education in North America. He would study in New Jersey and later attend King's College, today's Columbia University, before the American Revolution changed the direction of his life. https://home.nps.gov/chri/learn/historyculture/people.htm

Hamilton would go on to serve in the American Revolution, become one of the nation's Founding Fathers, and serve as the first Secretary of the Treasury.

But part of that remarkable journey began here in Christiansted.

Hamilton spent formative years working along Christiansted's waterfront, where he learned international trade, finance, credit, and commerce. He later described that experience as “the most useful part” of his education. Fort Christiansværn, completed in 1749, was already standing over Christiansted's harbor when Hamilton lived and worked here. https://www.nps.gov/places/alexander-hamilton-s-first-career.htm

On October 3, 1772, the power of a young man's words helped open a door from St. Croix to help create the United States of America.

Images: Aerial view of Christiansted National Historic Site and Christiansted harbor on St. Croix - VI Historic Preservation; Portrait of adult Alexander Hamilton by John Trumbull - Smithsonian; image of Royal Danish American Gazette - Library of Congress.

31/08/2026

Christiansted National Historic Site will reopen today at 12 o’clock noon Monday, August 31.

Now it’s your turn to get up get out there and discover hidden stories!

28/08/2026

ALL PARKS CLOSING DUE TO ANTICIPATED ADVERSE WEATHER

All NPS units on St. Croix, including Christiansted NHS, Buck Island Reef NM & Salt River Bay NHP&EP, will close at the end of normal operations Sat., 8/29, and remain closed until further notice.

14/08/2026

Update
Portions of Fort Christiansvaern have REOPENED. Areas of the upper gun deck remain closed. For your safety, not cross barriers or enter into closed areas and follow all posted signage and staff instructions.

EMERGENCY CLOSURE of Portions of Christiansted National Historic Site
Fort Christiansvaern and portions of D. Hamilton Jackson Park are temporarily CLOSED due to unsafe conditions. For your safety, do not enter closed or barricaded areas and follow all posted signs and staff instructions. Crews are working to secure the affected areas and restore safe public access. The closure will remain in effect until conditions are determined to be safe.

07/07/2026

Join the Turtle Patrol Team at Buck Island Reef National Monument!

🐢 Join the Buck Island Sea Turtle Research Program for Sea Turtle Patrol Training next week! 🐢

Whether you’re a returning volunteer or brand new, there’s a place for you on the team. Help monitor nesting beaches, protect hatchlings, and support sea turtle conservation on Buck Island!

📅 Training:
🌙 Returning Volunteers: Friday, July 10 | 2–4 PM
☀️ New Volunteers: Saturday, July 11 | 10 AM–12 PM

📍 Meet at the Fort Christiansvaern entrance in Christiansted.

RSVP to receive additional information and materials prior to the training: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/jV6PF4qcDk

Questions? Contact Kristen Ewen, Park Biologist, [email protected]!
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🐢🌊

03/07/2026

🚨 **LAST DAY TO SUBMIT!** 🎨✨

Today's your final chance to enter the **Salt River Bay National Historical Park & Ecological Preserve Young Artist Contest!**

Calling all creative youth **ages 8–21**—show us your original artwork or concept inspired by the beauty of Salt River Bay for a chance to help inspire a new community mural!

🌿 **Need inspiration?**
🐢 Ridge to Reef
🦜 Native Birds
🐠 Colorful Fish
🌊 Salt River Bay Habitats
🪸 Reef Creatures & More!

**How to enter:**
🎨 Create your artwork
📝 Complete the submission form: https://forms.cloud.microsoft/g/WBvmStq3S4
📸 Submit your artwork in person or send us a photo of your completed piece.

⏰ **Don't miss out—submissions close today!**

Questions?
📧 Kristen A. Ewen — [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])
📧 Larissa D. Sweeney — [[email protected]](mailto:[email protected])

27/06/2026

Did you know?
The word hurricane comes from the Taíno word hurakán (or juracán), the name of a powerful spirit associated with storms, wind, and chaos. Long before modern forecasting, Caribbean Indigenous peoples developed stories to explain the forces of nature around them. Today, the word remains a lasting connection to St. Croix's rich Taíno heritage.

Image: Artistic representation of Juracán, the Taíno spirit associated with powerful storms and destructive winds.

26/06/2026

What's in your hurricane kit?
As we all know, when a storm is on the way stores quickly run out of supplies. Build your kit now before you need it.

A hurricane kit should include:
✓ Drinking water
✓ Nonperishable food
✓ Flashlights and extra batteries
✓ Backup fuel
✓ First aid supplies and medications
✓ Cash for purchases when electronic payment systems are down
✓ Important documents in a waterproof container
✓ Phone chargers and backup power banks
✓ Hygiene and cleaning supplies
✓ Pet supplies, if needed

Every household is different. Take time now to think about your family's specific needs. Remember that power may be out for an extended time, so plan to have at least 2 weeks of supplies.

Prepared today. Ready tomorrow.