annaberg sugar plantation

Where ever we visit we always like to learn about the history and visit historically significant sites. Annaberg is a place that provides some of that for St. John. We had read about it in advance of going (St. John Off the Beaten Path, Gerald Singer) which was helpful because the signs don't provide as much information, the reading made the visit more meaningful. It was nice to try the Dumb Bread and learn about the different plants and their uses. Take a close look at the structures (daub and wattle) with the coral and other items used there are some beautiful patterns. It's an important place to visit and to make it more meaningful I recommend reading about it before your visit. There are also great views.

Worth going to - great to tie in a trip here, to Leinster bay and watermelon cay together. They are all in walking distance of each other.

Sugar plantations in the Caribbean - I have read about them for years, but I had never visited one. The signs aren't quite as explanatory as they might have been, and the ruins are pretty... ruined, but it was a unique and important place to visit and I'm glad for the opportunity.

the title says it all, short hike to the top, bring a lunch cause you won't want to leave! the views are my favorite on the entire island.

The astonishing natural beauty of St. John is its tourist attraction, however, it is worthwhile to spend a half hour or so to become aware of the darker history of the mid-19th century sugar plantations. The ruins are fairly extensive with evidence of recent preservation efforts. The signage is educational focusing on the laborious processing of the sugar, and this of course, speaks of the slave population. The slave quarters, the windmill, and the processing building draw the observer into the stark contrast of a brutal history that somehow doesn't match the beauty of the surrounding views. Much to ponder.

Very interesting to learn more about the sugar plantations on the island and the history of slave trade here.

Without a doubt, St. John is one of the most beautiful islands anywhere. But make sure you take the time to learn the history of her native population through the eyes of the slaves who gave blood, sweat, tears and their lives during the plantation era. Annaberg is more that a tourist stop or look out, it is hallowed ground. Spend a quiet moment or two in silent reflection here and your spirit will be moved, your heart touched, and perhaps your life changed.

Annaberg gives the visitor a good sense of what a sugar plantation was like in the mid 19th century. It is well maintained and provides much information about life on a sugar plantation.

The Annaberg Sugar Plantation ruins are a good place to learn a bit about Danish colonial-era life on the islands that later became the US Virgin Islands. A short, paved 0.25 mile (0.4k) trail loops through the ruins, with interpretive signs along the way, that consist of slave quarters, a windmill used to crush the cane, a sugar factory where the cane juice was reduced to sugar and molasses, a still where the molasses was fermented and distilled into rum and several other structures. The plantation dates back to 1721 and the windmill, which sits prominently atop a hill, is believed to have been built during the first third of the 19th century; like the other structures, it was built by slaves out of field stones, coral and ballast stone. From the hill near the ruins of the windmill, there are excellent views of Tortola and a few of the minor British Virgin Islands. On Tuesdays through Fridays from 10am – 2pm there are cultural demonstrations that include bread making and basket weaving and on weekends during the peak winter and spring seasons there are often volunteers offering additional interpretation. We found the ruins and surroundings very picturesque and interesting; well worth a stop especially if in the area to visit the popular Francis Bay, Watermelon Cay or Leinster Bay.

This is the best preserved sugar mill on the Island, well worth a visit. There are Natl Park guides most of the time to explain the history and layout. The view from the top is beautiful. It is a short hike up from the parking lot, but if you have problems walking you can be dropped off right at the entry.

A sad remnant of our history of slavery, but well maintained and explained trail with yet more beautiful views and structures.

Liked the historical site with interpretive signs. Weird burning garbage pile adjacent to it. Bad smell. Does the NPS run it or not?

We visited the plantation after our day at Waterlemon as they share the same parking lot. The Annaberg sugar plantation is located on the top of a hill and offers exceptional views. The stonework of the ruins is beatiful - as is all the stonework on the island. The history of the plantation is posted at various sites detailing how things were made, what certain areas were, and how slavery played a role. There was a woman on site making bread in one of the ruin buildings and a man in a garden handing out fresh coconut and sugar cane.

These ruins are worth a visit- interesting to read the info on the history of the plantation.The views and breeze are great!

I'll admit that I was a little depressed by the sugar plantation, knowing what went on at places like this all over St. John (and the Caribbean in general) is upsetting, but I'm glad the plantation ruins are there to remind us of how we've grown and can continue to grow. The ruins are beautiful, modest, and very interesting. I loved the garden with all the local vegetation!