The exterior of the kitchen reveals the stone and tabby construction which has lasted for over 200 years. Linda and I decided the best way to see St. Thomas was to rent a car. Within minutes we were in an $85–per–day Jeep headed for the local library and museum. The library, built in the first fire–proof building in the town from ballast from ships, was closed. We parked next to the Government House, also closed, and walked up the famous 99 Steps to the Seven Arches Museum.

The museum turned out to be the home of an American lady of Danish descent. She and her husband had bought the ancient building in the 1980s and restored it to its original 18th century condition. The name comes from the seven arches they uncovered that grace the entrance way. During the renovation they discovered implements and pottery pieces dating back to 1750.

The owner, a painter, has turned the old slave quarters into her studio. The circa 1800 detached kitchen has been restored to its original condition. The first floor, four rooms, is the museum. The couple lives on the second floor.

The Danish–American owner of the Seven Arches Museum discusses the many pieces of pottery she uncovered during the restoration of the building. She was delighted to see us. “I only receive 10 or 12 visitors a year, and very few of them are Americans,” she said.

I told her of my research trying to track down Lightbourn the Slave Trader, and she said the original owners of the home were probably rich plantation owners, this being their town house. She had dug up artifacts from the old slave days including documents listing slave names and plantation products. She thinks that after the end of the plantation days, the house was home to many, many families, including freed slaves.

This is one of the seven arches that graces the entrance to the museum. The University of the Virgin Islands, she told me, has held several conferences on “The Era of the Danish Slave Trade.” The Danes along with the Dutch were among the earliest slave traders, and St. Thomas was one of their major ports.

Local historians have presented papers on Danish families who were entrepreneurs, planters, and missionaries prior to American occupation.

We imposed upon her gracious hospitality for almost two hours, inspecting every nook and cranny of her wonderful home museum.

(Continued next week)

The original 1800 kitchen has been completely restored. Through the window can be seen the harbor of Charlotte Amalie, capital of St. Thomas.
The Seven Arches Museum in Char lotte Amalie is in an 18th century townhouse on the hill overlooking the harbor.
This vine–covered building was once the slave quarters. It is now the owner’s art studio.