Frederiksted, St. Croix — Our Town Frederiksted, Inc. (OTF) is proud to announce it has been selected as an award recipient of the Healing Humanities Cultural Place-keeping Grant from the St. Croix Foundation for Community Development. This competitive grant will support the launch of The Glory Days of Frederiksted Revival – A Multi-Disciplinary Cultural Education Initiative, a yearlong project designed to preserve and celebrate the town’s rich cultural heritage through arts, education, and community engagement.
Rooted in the original work of the late Alphonso Franklin, a former OTF president and Frederiksted resident, the initiative will reimagine his collection of community essays into a vibrant, multi-platform storytelling experience. This revival will feature a limited-edition book publication, a digital oral history archive, public showcases, and culturally responsive educator toolkits.
“This generous grant allows us to expand our programming by being able to keep Frederiksted’s history alive in new and dynamic ways,” said Shawna K. Richards, Vice-President of OTF. “The Glory Days of Frederiksted Revival is not just about remembering the past. It is a launchpad for multi-disciplinary creative opportunities to celebrate our cultural heritage. We thank the St. Croix Foundation for providing the resources to ensure community-driven arts and cultural education remain visible and valued.”
With a focus on intergenerational storytelling and place-keeping, the project will engage elders, youth, artists, and educators across Frederiksted and St. Croix. Public events will include live performances, art exhibitions, and the launch of a digital platform that invites the community to contribute their own stories and memories.
Submissions for inclusion in the Revival of the Glory Days of Frederiksted publication and archive will open later this year. Interested residents, creatives, and cultural organizations are encouraged to participate.
For more information about the project or to receive submission guidelines, contact Our Town Frederiksted at (340) 772-3550 or email admin@ourtownfrederiksted.org. Follow the progress of the project at www.ourtownfrederiksted.org or on social media @ourtownfrederiksted.
About Our Town Frederiksted, Inc.:
Since 1988, Our Town Frederiksted, Inc. (OTF) has been one of the leading non-profit organizations addressing the needs and concerns of Frederiksted’s Historic District. After its catastrophic devastation by Hurricane Hugo in 1989, the town of Frederiksted has struggled to regain its position as the epicenter of business and commerce for the island of St. Croix.
As a community advocacy organization, Our Town Frederiksted’s mission is to revitalize Frederiksted’s people, businesses, and infrastructure, serve as the preferred point of contact to facilitate community outreach, and to create and inspire growth through effective leadership.
OTF is a 501(c)(3) organization. Donations are fully tax-deductible as a charitable contribution.
