Fort Christiansvaern
St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands
Background
Fort Christiansvaern, begun in 1738 and largely completed by 1749, was constructed by the Danish West India and Guinea Company to guard the harbor entrance of Christiansted on the island of St. Croix. The square fort of brick, rubble masonry, and half-timber construction includes corner bastions and a ravelin. With a stable and walled prison yard added in the 1830s, the fort was in continuous use as a military installation until 1878, when it became a police station and courthouse. Today, the fort is the main historic exhibit for Christiansted National Historic Site.
Project Summary
JKOA prepared a Historic Structure Report to document the development of Fort Christiansvaern and its stable building. Work included physical investigations and substantial archival research to better understand the nature and condition of the building’s structural system and its chronology of building changes. A structural engineer evaluated areas of concern to guide geotechnical and structural investigations. Paint, stucco, and materials analyses of stone, brick, and metal informed recommendations for appropriate restoration finishes. The HSR includes a condition assessment with prioritized recommendations for repairs and preservation that account for the impacts of continued climate change.