ISLAND LIVING DIGEST
Experience the beautiful Caribbean! 

 Touring & History

Visit a bygone era with a historical walk back in time. Discover interesting and insightful information on the history of the Caribbean islands. 

Take a tour of great houses and estates in the Caribbean; standing remnants of colonial days where sugar barons from Europe made their fortunes and lived lavishly. The slave trade produced a labor force including indentured servants, whose sweat and toil built many of these opulent structures while bringing their masters the harvest of the land. Today, most that remain are being preserved and feature authentic antiques and decorative arts. Interesting events like the Whim Museum Antiques Auction on St. Croix showcase the craftmanship of West Indian furniture makers whose exquisitely carved pieces are in high demand throughout the world. 

FEATURES

The Mandeville Courthouse in Mandeville is a prime example of Jamaican-Georgian architecture. 

Built by slaves in 1820 with limestone blocks, the courthouse is one of only four original public buildings in Mandeville and has a portico supported by Doric columns flanked by a curving double staircase.

Source: www.visitjamaica.com

Horatio Nelson: A profile in Caribbean history.
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St. Nicholas Abbey in Barbados:
One of three Jacobean mansions that remain in the Western Hemisphere.
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Antiquing on St. Croix
If you are a lover of fine antiques, you'll want to make the island of St. Croix your next stop.

For over twenty years, the St. Croix Landmarks Society has presented its annual antiques auction. The setting is the 18th century Whim plantation estate, where locals and collectors from around the world gather to participate in what has become a highly anticipated event.

The auction features 18th and 19th century West Indian furniture which has grown in popularity in recent years. The Danish and French colonial period pieces include solid mahogany four poster bed steads, armoirs, tables and chairs. Skilled indigenous craftsmen in a bygone era, mostly slaves, injected their own creativity by carving motifs of pineapples, palm fronds and other tropical images into the woodwork. This unique blend of European and Caribbean influences has produced furniture that is some of the most beautiful in the world. The detail is exquisite and is being reproduced by major furniture companies throughout North America and the world.