I will start this post with a photo of The Whim grounds showcasing three out of the four types of sugar mills used on St. Croix – from left to right: Animal Mill, Wind Mill, and Steam Mill. The remains of a Water Wheel Mill can be observed at The Botanical Gardens. This photograph was sourced from the Library of Congress and has been enhanced using various techniques.
I do not now the date of the photo, but it’s pre 1995 as the mill was damaged in Marilyn and has not had all four sails since, as can be seen from a 2009 photo on the Estate Whim page.
The Whim Museum, situated at Estate Whim, once renowned for its distinctive approach to preserving history and providing a unique experience for its visitors, has now fallen into extreme disrepair. The museum’s premises are home to the Landmarks’ Research Library & Archives, where guests could partake in genealogical and historical research and acquire photographs from a special collection. Estate Whim itself is a historical plantation representative of those established in the 1730s by the Danish West Indian Company, boasting a rich history that dates to the 18th century. Visitors to the Estate Whim Museum could explore the plantation’s buildings and grounds, which exude both historical significance and once beauty which must be restored, making it a destination for visitors and history and heritage enthusiasts. This story is sad and has been called “demolition by neglect.”
