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St. Croix's Government House reopened with a rededication ceremony
on June 4, 2000. The 220 years old building had a face lift at the
cost of $12.7 million. Initial efforts to begin the project
began under the Juan Luis administration and took six years to
complete now under Governor Charles Turnbull. It is located in
down town Christiansted. The building houses the governor's,
lieutenant governor's and St. Croix administrator and his
staffs' offices. The third floor will be the living quarters for
the governor and his family when he is in St Croix. Other government
offices will be on the ground floor. The color of the house is a
bright yellow with trims of white and green. It is designed in
classical 18th century baroque style with a large court yard. It
is fully air-conditioned, with two elevators. The opening ceremony
included a dress ball similar to one held on King Frederick's
birthday on January 28, 1833. At that time it was a
celebration of the first renovation of the building under
Governor-General Peter von Scholten. The ball, held on June
4, included a cross section on the community dressed
in formal attire. It was the only opportunity for the public to
see all three floors. The ceremony included the clergy from
various denominations. They blessed five skeletons and the
House. The skeletons were found under the former carriage
house in August 1998. The remains were part of a burial ground
built over during the construction of Government House in
1740's. |
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The Scroll
A scroll was also signed at Government House and is
still being signed by all residents of the Virgin Islands. It will be
placed in a time capsule at the end of this year and opened by future generations.
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Click to see the larger picture!
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