DOCSLIB.ORG

Alexander Hamilton: Estate Grange and Other Sites Special Resource Study / Boundary Study St

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
Alexander Hamilton: Estate Grange and Other Sites Special Resource Study / Boundary Study St National Park Service U.S. Department of the Interior Alexander Hamilton: Estate Grange and Other Sites Special Resource Study / Boundary Study St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands ALEXANDER HAMILTON: ESTATE GRANGE AND OTHER SITES SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY / BOUNDARY STUDY St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Lead Agency: National Park Service The Department of the Interior, National Park Service (NPS), has prepared the Alexander Hamilton: Estate Grange and Other Sites Special Resource Study / Boundary Study to evaluate the potential of four sites associated with Alexander Hamilton’s childhood and adolescence on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to be included within the national park system. As directed by Congress, this document includes a special resource study that evaluates four sites for their inclusion in the national park system as new, independent units. The boundary study portion of this document evaluates the potential of one of the sites, Estate Grange, as an addition to an existing unit of the national park system (Christiansted National Historic Site). The other three sites were not analyzed in the boundary study because they either did not possess extant resources or the resource type and associated interpretive theme is currently sufficiently represented at Christiansted National Historic Site. The boundary study evaluated several factors to determine the feasibility of adding the area to Christiansted National Historic Site, whether other options for management were available, and how the area would enhance visitor enjoyment of Christiansted National Historic Site related to park purposes. i SUMMARY INTRODUCTION significance at the national level. For cultural resources, national significance is evaluated The Department of the Interior, National by applying the National Historic Landmarks Park Service (National Park Service), has (NHL) nomination criteria contained in 36 prepared this special resource study / CFR Part 65. None of the four properties boundary study to evaluate the potential analyzed was determined to possess national of four sites associated with Alexander significance, and therefore none is eligible for Hamilton’s childhood and adolescence on inclusion in the national park system as a new, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands to be included stand-alone unit. within the national park system. As directed by Congress, this document includes a special Estate Grange. Located approximately 1.5 resource study that evaluates four sites for miles from Christiansted, this former sugar their inclusion in the national park system as plantation changed hands several times, but new, independent units. The boundary study was owned by Alexander Hamilton’s uncle analyzes one of the sites, Estate Grange, as from 1738 to 1764. Alexander Hamilton’s an addition to an existing unit of the national mother was married at Estate Grange and park system (Christiansted National Historic is believed to be buried there. Evidence Site). indicates that Alexander Hamilton never lived at Estate Grange. The property features several historic structures, including a main house and slave quarter ruins, and cultural LEGISLATIVE HISTORY landscape features. In 2009, Congress directed the Secretary Lot 34 Company Street. A building once of the Interior (Secretary), in consultation stood in this now vacant lot in downtown with the governor of the Virgin Islands, to Christiansted that was the home of Alexander evaluate the potential to establish a unit Hamilton, his mother, and his brother for of the national park system that would nearly two years. Alexander Hamilton’s commemorate Alexander Hamilton’s time on mother ran a store on the ground floor and St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Section 7203 of the family lived upstairs. the Omnibus Public Land Management Act of 2009 (Public Law 111-11, signed March Lot 23 Company Street. Alexander Hamilton 30, 2009) directs the Secretary to evaluate and his family rented a residence at this “Estate Grange and other sites and resources location from late-1767 until just before associated with Hamilton on St. Croix.” The New Year’s Day 1768. The building that the legislation specified that this special resource family lived in was later removed and the lot study, containing the study findings and the is presently a landscaped garden. Very little is Secretary’s recommendations, be submitted known about the ownership of the property to Congress within three years of the study and no information was identified regarding funding. the construction or style of the former residence and outbuildings. SPECIAL RESOURCE STUDY AND Lots 7-8 King Street. The Beekman and SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Cruger store and warehouse complex where Alexander Hamilton worked was located on The special resource study addresses four Lots 7-8 King Street. The extant structure has properties, including Estate Grange. National undergone several episodes of remodeling Park Service Management Policies 2006, and its history is uncertain. Section 1.3.1 directs that proposed additions to the national park system must possess ii Summary Conclusion. The four sites were individually Estate Grange was considered as an addition evaluated and not found to possess national to Christiansted National Historic Site based significance. Therefore, none of the sites on its potential to enhance opportunities for qualifies as a new independent unit of the public enjoyment related to park purposes. national park system. The purpose and significance of Christiansted National Historic Site is to preserve the nationally significant historic structures and BOUNDARY STUDY AND SUMMARY OF grounds in the Christiansted waterfront/ FINDINGS wharf area and to interpret the economy and way of life during the Danish colonial era. Preparation of the special resource study led to a decision to analyze the potential for Estate Grange is geographically separated including Estate Grange within the national from the Christiansted waterfront/wharf area park system through an addition to the and CHRI resources. Furthermore, although boundary of an existing national park unit, Estate Grange would provide an opportunity Christiansted National Historic Site (CHRI). to interpret the economy and way of life Therefore, this document also includes a of a historic Danish sugar cane plantation, boundary study. Boundary studies can be the property has not been identified as an initiated without an act of Congress, although outstanding example of this resource type. actual changes to park boundaries do require Therefore, the Estate Grange property congressional approval. is not strongly connected to the purpose and significance of Christiansted National National Park Service Management Policies Historic Site and the potential for public 2006, Section 3.5 directs that boundary enjoyment related to park purposes is limited. adjustments to existing units of the national park system meet at least one of the following The National Park Service also found criteria: the proposal to add Estate Grange to • Protect significant resources and values, Christiansted National Historic Site infeasible or enhance opportunities for public for several reasons. Factors that would hinder enjoyment related to unit purposes. potential NPS management of the property include the following. • Address operational and management • Access — although connected to a major issues, such as the need for access or the road, the property is about 1.5 miles from need for boundaries to correspond to Christiansted. A proposed highway across logical boundary delineations such as the southern portion of the estate property topographic or other natural features or would present access and resource roads. management issues. • Otherwise protect unit resources that are • Current and potential uses of the study critical to fulfilling the unit’s purposes. area — tenant occupation of the site and lease agreements present potential Additionally, all recommendations for encumbrances to NPS acquisition. additions must meet all of the following criteria: • Costs — the substantial costs for property acquisition, research, preservation • The added lands will be feasible to treatments, and site development could administer, considering their size, exceed NPS funding feasibility during this configuration, and ownership; costs; the period of fiscal constraint. views and impacts on local communities and surrounding jurisdictions; and other factors such as the presence of hazardous Conclusion. The Estate Grange study area substances or exotic species. does not meet the criteria to be included as an addition to Christiansted National Historic • Other alternatives for management and Site. resource protection are not adequate. iii A GUIDE TO THIS DOCUMENT This special resource study / boundary study Chapter 4: Evaluation of Estate Grange is organized into the following chapters. Each as an Addition to Christiansted National chapter is briefly described below. Historic Site evaluates the potential of adding Estate Grange to an existing unit of the Chapter 1: Purpose and Background national park system. This chapter provides provides a brief description of the study the analysis and evaluation required in a area and an overview of the study’s purpose, boundary study. background, and process. This chapter also summarizes the NPS findings on the special Chapter 5: Public Involvement, resource study and the boundary study. Consultation, and Coordination describes the history of public and agency coordination Chapter 2: Historical Background and during the planning effort
Load more

Recommended publications
  • African Diasporic Choices - Locating the Lived Experiences of Afro- Crucians in the Archival and Archaeological Record
    Vol. 8, No. 2, 2019 ISSN (ONLINE) 2245-294X Ayana Omilade Flewellen, UC’s President Postdoctoral Fellow, University of California, Berkeley, [email protected] African Diasporic Choices - Locating the Lived Experiences of Afro- Crucians in the Archival and Archaeological Record Abstract The year 2017 marked the centennial transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States. In light of this commemoration, topics related to representations of the past, and the preservation of heritage in the present -- entangled with the residuum of Danish colonialism and the lasting impact of U.S. neo-imperial rule -- are at the forefront of public dialogue on both sides of the Atlantic. Archaeological and archival research adds historical depth to these conversations, providing new insights into the lived experiences of Afro-Crucians from enslavement through post-emancipation. However, these two sources of primary historical data (i.e., material culture and documentary evidence) are not without their limitations. This article draws on Black feminist and post-colonial theoretical frameworks to interrogate the historicity of archaeological and archival records. Preliminary archaeological and archival work ongoing at the Estate Little Princess, an 18th-century former Danish sugar plantation on the island of St. Croix, provides the backdrop through which the potentiality of archaeological and documentary data are explored. Research questions centered on exploring sartorial practices of self-making engaged by Afro-Crucians from slavery through freedom are used to illuminate spaces of tension as well as productive encounters between the archaeological and archival records. Keywords: Danish West Indies, Historical Archaeology, Digital Humanities, African Diaspora, Sartorial Practices, Adornment Introduction The year 2017 marked the centennial transfer of, the now, U.S.
    [Show full text]
  • Island Journey Island Journey
    WELCOME TO AN CHRISTIANSTED About the trail ST. CROIX ISLAND JOURNEY & this brochure FREDERIKSTED The St. Croix Heritage Trail As with many memorable journeys, there is no association with each site represent attributes found there, traverses the entire real beginning or end of the trail. You may want to start such as greathouse, windmill, nature, Key to Icons 28 mile length of St. your drive at either Christiansted or Frederiksted as a or viewscape. All St. Croix roads are not portrayed, so do not consider this Croix, linking the point of reference, or you can begin at a point close to Greathouse Your Guide to the where you’re staying. If you want to take it easy, you can a detailed road map. historic seaports of History, Culture, and Nature cover the trail in segments by following particular Sugar Mill of St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands Frederiksted and subroutes, such as the “East End Loop,” delineated on the Christiansted with the map. Chimney Please remember to drive on the left, fertile central plain, the The Heritage Trail will take you to three levels of sites: a remnant traffic rule bequeathed by our full-service Attractions that can be toured: Visitation Ruin Danish past. The speed limit along the mountainous Northside, Sites, like churches, with irregular hours; and Points of Trail ranges between 25 and 35 mph, We are proud that the St. Croix Church unless otherwise noted. Seat belts are Heritage Trail has been designated and the arid East End. The r e Interest, which you can view, but are not open to the tl u B one of fifty Millennium Legacy Trails by public.
    [Show full text]
  • Wildlife Sanctuaries
    WILDLIFE SANCTUARIES AND OTHER PROTECTED AREAS IN THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS Prior to 1975, little was known about the ecology of Photo: Sean Linehan, NOAA the more than 50 islands and Aerial view of Buck Island Reef National Monument cays dotting the perimeter of the USVI. But with the help of the Division of Fish and Wildlife’s wildlife survey, these cays have come to be known as virtual incubators of ecological activity, providing prime nesting habitat for 99% of the islands’ seabird population. As a result, all 33 territorially owned offshore cays have been Photo: Judy Pierce, DFW designated as wildlife sanctuaries to protect the beauty of these islands and the nesting habitat for Masked Booby and Chick on Cockroach Cay generations to come. Other islands, cays and coastal areas in the USVI are also recognized for their ecological importance as habitat for sea turtles, the endangered St. Croix ground lizard, elkhorn and staghorn corals, seabirds, and spawning habitat for scores of coral reef organisms. While some of these islands and cays are privately owned and threatened by development, Mangrove Lagoon Marine Reserve and Wildlife Sanctuary Capella and Buck Island off the south side of St. Thomas many are under federal government ownership and protection. 3 2 Photo: Judy Pierce, DFW ECOLOGY OF USVI PROTECTED AREAS Photo: Kevin T. Edwards Major USVI seabird nesting areas are found on 25 of the most remote cays off St. Thomas and St. John, where their eggs and offspring are less vulnerable to predators than on the major islands. Seabird communities are the most diverse and important component of this ecosystem.
    [Show full text]
  • Historic Preservation Review Board Dr
    COUNCIL OF THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA COMMITTEE OF THE WHOLE COMMITTEE REPORT 1350 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20004 DRAFT TO: All Councilmembers FROM: Chairman Phil Mendelson Committee of the Whole DATE: July 13, 2021 SUBJECT: Report on PR 24-226, “Historic Preservation Review Board Dr. Alexandra Jones Confirmation Resolution of 2021” The Committee of the Whole, to which PR 24-226, the “Historic Preservation Review Board Dr. Alexandra Jones Confirmation Resolution of 2021,” was referred, reports favorably thereon and recommends approval by the Council. CONTENTS I. Background and Need ................................................................1 II. Legislative Chronology ..............................................................5 III. Position of The Executive ..........................................................6 IV. Comments of Advisory Neighborhood Commissions ...............6 V. Summary of Testimony ..............................................................6 VI. Impact on Existing Law .............................................................7 VII. Fiscal Impact ..............................................................................7 VIII. Section-By-Section Analysis .....................................................7 IX. Committee Action ......................................................................8 X. Attachments ...............................................................................8 I. BACKGROUND AND NEED On May 11, 2021, PR 24-226, the “Historic Preservation Review Board
    [Show full text]
  • APPENDIX L Avian Conservation Implementation Plans
    APPENDIX L Avian Conservation Implementation Plans L.1 Big Cypress National Preserve L.2 Biscayne National Park L.3 Buck Island Reef National Monument L.4 Dry Tortugas National Park L.5 Everglades National Park L.6 Salt River Bay National Historical Park and Ecological Preserve L.7 Virgin Islands National Park and Coral Reef National Monument SFCN Vital Signs Report L Appendix L. Avian Conservation Implementation Plans APPENDIX L.1 BIG CYPRESS NATIONAL PRESERVE SFCN Vital Signs Report L.1 Appendix L. Avian Conservation Implementation Plans FINAL DRAFT Avian Conservation Implementation Plan Big Cypress National Preserve National Park Service Southeast Region Compiled by J. Keith Watson U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service In cooperation with BICY Resource Management Staff, National Park Service And Bird Conservation Partners January 2005 TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction....................................................................................................................................... 3 Background ...................................................................................................................................... 3 The North American Bird Conservation Initiative....................................................................... 4 The Southeastern Bird Conservation Initiative: National Park Service...................................... 5 Role of NPS in Avian Conservation.................................................................................................. 5 Preserve Description .......................................................................................................................
    [Show full text]