an exciting update on the step street project
First section of the lower 1/3 of the steps with reconstruction and restoration of stone and brick finishes
The St. Thomas Historical Trust continues our project to restore the Bred Gade Step Street after completing the upper 2/3 of stone step renovations. We are now focused on the second phase and the
lower 1/3 of the steps which is a combination of stone and brick paving. This scope includes demolishing of damaged sections, removal of debris, replacement of concrete foundations as needed, and finishing with stone and brick paving to match the original. It is a smaller portion of the Step Street, but a more extensive scope of work.
We recieved aid from the Solarfonden Grant, earmarked for Bred Gade.
Work began on Monday, May 27th, and was completed by June 5th.
Work Completed as of 5 June 2024
View of Bred Gade Steps completed to date: upper 2/3 stone steps and first section of lower 1/3
brick and stone steps in the foreground.
a look back on the progress made
Step Street Renovations
We are re-vitalizing the Bred Gade Step Street project. It was never completed after the interruption of two hurricanes in 2017. As a result, there has been significant further deterioration to the fabric of the steps, as can be seen in this photo of the steps. Some funds have been raised, and Public Works has been contacted to assist. Please join us in making this project a success. For a donation of $100 or more we will put your name on a permanent plaque in the Trust museum as a “Step Owner” (there are 147 steps), but all contributions are welcome. Just click on the donate button below.
"Step streets" are a unique feature of St. Thomas, as they're rarely found elsewhere in the US. These stair-like streets date from our historic downtown's early days, when many of the streets specified on paper by town planners in Denmark were for hillsides too steep for horsecarts. Reinterpreted here by island tradesmen, these were built more logically as flights of pedestrian steps, instead.
With the Trust's goal of preserving -- wherever possible -- St. Thomas'culture and sites, downtown's many major and hidden step street sites were identified and assessed. Numbering in the dozens, they still carry the titles of "Gades" or streets, just like their counterparts on level-ground.
Among the many step streets now fallen into disrepair, Bred Gade (Danish for "Wide Street") was identified to be most centrally located and usefully renovated. This mid-town, stepped pathway is just half a block north of Bakery Square and the St. Thomas Reformed Church; it links Nye Gade ("New Street") with Bjerge Gade up above. Damaged portions included the path's original vault (which raised its first step over a gutter), and many brick or stone portions overlaid by concrete in prior attempts at preservation.
St. Thomas Historical Trust successfully secured a grant from the Virgin Islands State Historic Preservation Office, and used part of the funds for a thorough site survey and drawing-plan to repair and restore this formerly-busy town pathway.
With the remaining funds, the St. Thomas Historical Trust began the process of stabilizing and restoring the vault underlying the Bred Gade's initial entry step, as well as the steps leading to its second landing -- the most unstable areas needing repair.
Progress has been made. Further grants are needed, and more remains to be finished. We invite the interest of members and friends, and their contacts for further funds. To volunteer, donate, or learn more, we invite you to email the Trust office at: execdirector@stthomashistoricaltrust.org
Hassel Island
Cooperating with the Virgin Islands National Park and the Virgin Islands government, the Trust's Hassel Island Committee has been pursuing its goals to make Hassel Island's history accessible to the public. We aim to maintain, stabilize and restore the trails and historic sites on Hassel Island, and provide interpretive signage to explain these sites' historic use and relevance. Now, trails have been opened to all major historic sites, with tours led for youth groups and Trust members and friends, Further sites are being cleared and stabilization projects are being planned.
Interested in history -- maybe even in volunteering?
Please contact us at execdirector@stthomashistoricaltrust.org.
FORT CHRISTIAN
The Trust has taken an active role in preserving various projects at the Fort, including restoration of the clock, which currently requires another effort. If you would like to get involved please contact the Trust and we will help you to make a difference!