The Virgin Islands Museum, Civic and Cultural Center was created as the St. Thomas initiative of the In Search of Identity project which began as a collaboration between historians, architects, culture bearers and community activists from the Virgin Islands and Denmark who sought a vehicle to commemorate the centennial anniversary of the Transfer of the Virgin Islands from Denmark to the United States in 1917.
Community Planning
The project developed from town hall meetings and VI Economic Development Authority Enterprise Zone Division town planning charettes designed to create cultural economic development and tourism corridors in Charlotte Amalie.
In Search of Identity Project
The In Search of Identity project began in 2015 as a Centennial Legacy Project between the Virgin Islands and Denmark with seed funding provided by the VI Legislature and Denmark and a Memorandum of Understanding to develop the historic Jarvis school property and create a cultural corridor in Charlotte Amalie.
School of Art, History and Culture, Museum, Civic and Cultural Center
We envision classroom settings at Jarvis for arts and cultural education. The Museum, Civic and Cultural Center will be built on adjacent lots with exhibition and collaborative spaces, lecture hall/theater, restaurant and gift shop.
Working together with our friends in Denmark and on St. Croix
Through the In Search of Identity project, we collaborate with our Danish partners through the Association of Owners of Historic Houses (BYFO). They provide resources, expertise and funding for the development of VIMCCC.
On St. Croix, our sister project, the Virgin Islands Architecture Center for Built Heritage and Crafts, Inc. is developing the Old Barracks property on Hospital Street, Christiansted as an urban campus and education lab that will research, teach and present the architectural and historic building craft traditions of the Virgin Islands.
