Fort Frederik
A red-and-white Danish fort on the Frederiksted waterfront, where the governor announced the abolition of slavery in the Danish West Indies in 1848.
Fort Frederik was built between 1752 and 1760. Its red-and-white walls face the sea, and it is a landmark of Frederiksted. On July 3, 1848, enslaved people gathered here in revolt and forced Governor Peter von Scholten to proclaim emancipation on the spot. The museum inside tells this story. After the Danish sale of the Virgin Islands to the United States in 1917, the fort was also used as a police station. The grounds and the seaside path outside are good for watching the sunset. Admission is inexpensive, opening hours are posted on site, and the fort is right next to the pier, so you can combine it with snorkeling from the dock.
Opening hours
Mon–Fri about 08:30–16:00 (check announcements)
Nearby sights
- Frederiksted Pier
- Rainbow Beach
- Estate Whim Plantation Museum
- Sandy Point National Wildlife Refuge
- Mt. Pellier Domino Club
- St. George Village Botanical Garden
- Cruzan Rum Distillery
- Annaly Bay Tide Pools