Estate Whim Museum Named Among America's Most Endangered Historic Sites

On Wednesday, the National Trust for Historic Preservation announced its annual listing of America’s 11 most endangered historic places. The Estate Whim Museum in Frederiksted, St. Croix was named among those at risk.  Carol Quillen, president and CEO of the National Trust, highlighted the shift in recognizing and preserving a broader scope of American history. "Our collective idea of American history has expanded to include those previously left at the margins. This year's list reflects that broader perspective, recognizing sites across all U.S. territories as integral parts of our national narrative," said Quillen. A site steeped in rich but tumultuous history, Estate Whim traces its origins back to the Danish colonization of St. Croix. Initially a plantation producing cotton and sugar, it operated from 1743 to 1848 using the forced labor of enslaved Africans and their descendants. Even after the emancipation spurred by the 1848 revolt, oppressive labor conditions persisted on the ...