Editor’s Note: An earlier version of this article incorrectly stated that the museum received the statues several years ago. They were received in 1998 when the territory commemorated the 150th anniversary of Emancipation.
The V.I. Department of Planning and Natural Resources is asking for help in recovering a mahogany statue stolen from the Fort Frederik Museum on St. Croix.
In a statement Wednesday, DPNR said the statue, which was commissioned for the museum to commemorate the 150th anniversary of Emancipation, depicts one of the Three Queens of the Fireburn rebellion and “holds deep cultural and historical significance and belongs to the people of the Virgin Islands. Its theft was reported to the V.I. Police Department last month. VIPD did not respond to questions sent by the Source.
DPNR urged anyone with information to contact the police or call the museum directly at 340-249-0765. Information can also be shared anonymously, according to DPNR’s statement.
“These statues are not just art pieces — they are part of our collective heritage; we ask the public to help ensure this important cultural artifact is safely returned,” curator Monica Marin said in a statement. “To those responsible for its removal, we strongly urge you to return it immediately. It belongs to all of us.”
Marin told the Source that the wood statue is approximately three and a half feet tall and features a single-pointed headpiece.
“That’s the distinctive feature, because the suite of the Three Queens has the three different headpieces,” she said. Marin said the pieces have been part of the museum’s collection since 1998.
