The historic Christiansted Bandstand stands along the waterfront on St. Croix, the landmark that legislation introduced by Delegate Stacey Plaskett seeks to rename for Peter G. Thurland Sr. Photo Credit: NPS.
Legislation introduced by Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett to rename the historic Christiansted Bandstand for Peter G. Thurland Sr. has moved closer to possible consideration by the full U.S. House, after the House Committee on Natural Resources formally reported the measure last week.
H.R. 8121 was reported to the House on August 27 with an amendment, committed to the Committee of the Whole House on the State of the Union and ordered printed. The Natural Resources Committee had previously approved the amended bill by unanimous consent on July 22. The measure has not yet passed the House.
If enacted, the legislation would formally designate the bandstand at Christiansted National Historic Site as the “Peter G. Thurland, Sr., Bandstand.” References to the structure in federal laws, regulations, documents, records and maps would thereafter be treated as references to the newly named bandstand.
Thurland's ties to the landmark stretch back to its creation more than a century ago. Born in Christiansted on February 19, 1892, he performed with the Christiansted Industrial Brass Band during the March 31, 1917 transfer ceremony marking the transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy months later, on June 12, 1917, and became a member of the Navy Band.
National Park Service historical records say the U.S. Navy built the Christiansted bandstand along the wharf area in 1917 and 1918 for performances by the locally recruited Virgin Islands Navy Band. Band members helped construct the pavilion when they were not on drill, with Thurland completing much of its carpentry work. The Navy was still segregated at the time, and NPS records describe the band as the branch of service through which Black Virgin Islanders could serve.
Thurland's association with the site continued long after his Navy service ended. In a statement submitted to the House Natural Resources Committee, Plaskett said he founded the St. Croix Community Band in 1938, trained generations of young musicians and led free monthly concerts at the Christiansted Bandstand for three decades before stepping down in 1968. He was also known as a master craftsman and cabinetmaker.
Plaskett told lawmakers that the effort to formally recognize Thurland is itself decades old. According to her statement, former V.I. Delegate Ron de Lugo first introduced legislation seeking the recognition during the 103rd Congress, which ran from 1993 to 1995, while members of the Thurland family have continued advocating for the designation. “His name belongs on that landmark,” Plaskett said.
The current bill was introduced by Plaskett on March 26 and referred to the House Natural Resources Committee. During its July markup, Rep. Joe Neguse of Colorado offered an amendment removing the bill's findings section. The amendment was approved by unanimous consent, followed by unanimous consent to favorably report the amended legislation to the House.
The National Park Service describes the bandstand as part of Christiansted National Historic Site and a longstanding focal point for community activities and entertainment on the Christiansted waterfront.
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