John McCarthy
By JOHN McCARTHY for the VIRGIN ISLANDS FREE PRESS
FREDERIKSTED — A piece of Virgin Islands history has been snatched from the heart of the “Freedom City,” and authorities are only now sounding the alarm.
The Department of Planning and Natural Resources (DPNR) confirmed today that a handcrafted mahogany statue of a Fire Burn Queen was stolen from the North Art Gallery at the Fort Frederik Museum.
While the public alert was issued today, Wednesday, March 11, the theft was actually reported to the Virgin Islands Police Department (VIPD) over two weeks ago on February 24th. It remains unclear why there was a 15-day delay in notifying the community of the missing artifact.
The stolen figure is one of three statues commissioned to honor the 150th Anniversary of Emancipation. These works serve as modern tributes to the legacies of Mary Thomas, Axeline “Agnes” Salomon, and Mathilda McBean—figures who symbolize the 1878 labor uprising and the fight for freedom in the Virgin Islands.
“These statues are not just art pieces—they are part of our collective heritage,” said Fort Curator Monica Marin. “It belongs to all of us.”
The museum is located just steps from the Frederiksted waterfront, a high-traffic area currently bustling with cruise ship passengers from the Adventure of the Seas.
HOW TO HELP: Anyone with information regarding the whereabouts of the mahogany statue is urged to contact the VIPD or the museum directly at (340) 249-0765. Tips can be provided anonymously.
