The Friends funds, supports, and implements projects and activities that further the protection of natural resources, preservation of cultural resources, and enhancement of environmental awareness.
Each fall, the Superintendent of Virgin Islands National Park submits a prioritized list of needs to the Friends' Board of Directors. Given limitations of federal funding for the Park - it typically meets only 70% of the Park's budgetary needs - Friends' support is often the only way critical programs and activities can take place.
The Friends' Board carefully considers the projects in the Park's Support Request. Those projects that are approved, along with Friends-initiated projects that the Board chooses to undertake, constitute our annual project plan. This year, 2008, we have committed to another ambitious and challenging project plan that will contribute to making Virgin Islands National Park a model of natural resource protection and cultural preservation. This year's program is projected to cost almost $400,000.
Friends has played an integral role in the VINP Archeology Program. To learn more visit:
Cultural Resource Preservation
•Annaberg Cultural Demonstrations: Annaberg Plantation is the premier cultural destination in the Park. Our continuing support assures that local artisans are available to demonstrate historic gardening, cooking, basketry and storytelling to enhance the visitors’ experience.
•Archeological
Program: Each year, Friends supports archeology interns to assist the Park
Archeologist. The interns concentrate on archeological research, and assessment
of archeological sites. This includes a variety of learning opportunities such
as washing artifacts, creating technical drawings, attribute analysis,
databases, vessel reconstruction, and field work to assess and monitor sites for
management.
Learn More
•Archeology
Museum Exhibits: Support the renovation of the archeology lab at Cinnamon Bay,
including development and installation of museum quality exhibits and displays.
Learn more
•Cultural
Theater Presentation: Support weekly theater presentations from January through
April at Cinnamon Bay Amphitheater. This year’s presentation is “Tituba”, a
play telling the story of a Caribbean woman in Salem, Mass.
•Folklife
Festival: Since 1996, the Friends has sponsored the annual Folklife Festival
during Black History Month at the Annaberg Sugar Plantation. This well-attended
event features cultural demonstrations from the plantation era as well as
African song, dance and storytelling.
•Hassel
Island Restoration: Continuing effort to restore the Creque Marine Railway area
to allow the site to be safely visited. Learn more
If you would like more information, or you would like to become involved in one of these projects, please come by the office or call. We invite members who are particularly interested in one of these projects to consider becoming a special sponsor of the project. Please contact our Development Director for more information, (340) 779-4940 or development@friendsvinp.org