St. John: Life in Five Quarters

Since its inception in 1974, the primary mission of the St. John Historical Society has been to identify, document, preserve, and share the rich history of this very special island known as St. John. The Society has done this through informed activities and programs, the publication of an outstanding newsletter, and by the development of a comprehensive website.
Now, in a continuing effort to promote a broader appreciation and understanding of St. John's rich historical legacy, the Society offers its first book, St. John, Life in Five Quarters. This book contains 66 unique articles by numerous individuals, as well as an impressive collection of images-many of which are being published here for the first time. These articles and illustrations represent a close-up look at life throughout St. John's five administrative districts, known as quarters, from the first attempted Danish settlement in 1675, through the present day.

In February 1974, the first organizational meeting of the tentatively named St. John Historical Society was held at National Park Headquarters at The Creek in Cruz Bay. At that meeting the goals and objectives of the new Society were laid out and they have remained basically unchanged to the present day. The founding group proposed to take field trips to, and encourage the preservation of, historical sites, sponsor publications of historical materials, compile local family records and tape oral histories, document St. John burial sites, encourage the preservation of artifacts, and assist with the new island museum being established at the Battery.
The early days of the Society were like many organizations, remembers founding-member Jane Bowry. We evolved without a plan. There were many of us who were anxious to know more about this paradise we were privileged to call home. The whole concept really came together when a little boy presented a Danish coin to Doris Jadan, and the need for a historical museum became evident. By April 1974 there was a slate of officers, a first membership meeting had been held, and annual dues of $2 had been collected.
Lately it has been time to revisit many historical sites on the island with a new generation of knowledgeable St. Johnians and our energetic membership. We now document and share the information we learn on our hikes, lectures and field trips through our Newsletter and on our website, bringing St. John history to an everwidening audience. The Society continues to embrace its commitment to be a strong advocate for preservation and the recording and dissemination of the history of this unique and wonderful place. Looking forward, it seems a certainty that the SJHS will be there to provide many more years of dedicated service to the St. John community.
On behalf of the Society s Board of Directors we thank all of our members and friends, both past and present, for their support and contributions to our efforts. It is to all of you, that this volume is respectfully dedicated.