Who we are
The Virgin Islands Architecture Center for Built Heritage and Crafts (VIAC) is a non-profit 501(c)3 community development organization that is transforming the Old Barracks Property on Hospital Street, Christiansted, St. Croix into an educational center with a focus on built heritage, historic preservation, architecture, and the building arts of the Virgin Islands and the Caribbean.
VIAC recognizes that the built heritage of towns in the U.S. Virgin Islands reflect the design and craftsmanship of African, Danish, Virgin Islands and Caribbean people. The historic preservation educational center will collaborate with schools in Denmark, Ghana, Puerto Rico, the Caribbean and the United States to provide education, training, internships and career pathways that pay tribute to tradition and innovate, anticipate and plan for current and future needs.
“VIAC is our past transformed into our future.”
Our approach
VIAC’s conversion of the Old Barracks property on Hospital Street, Christiansted, St. Croix will meet the community’s economic development goals for cultural heritage tourism, workforce development and small business development. The idea for a center that focuses on the built heritage of Virgin Islands towns was the result of town plan charettes sponsored by the Virgin Islands Economic Development Authority. The 2017 Centennial Commemoration In Search of Identity Project provided seed money from Denmark and the Virgin Islands Legislature. The community agreed that the development of an institute that studied and recognized traditions while creating the opportunity for skills training, job creation, entrepreneurial activity and economic development could lead to the revitalization of Christiansted and other Virgin Islands towns. We have raised $3 million of our $14 million project goal.
Current VIAC Projects
The Stabilization of the Staircase and the Rehabilitation of Bldg. 2
VIAC received a $750,000 Save America’s Treasures grant for shell construction of Building 2 from the National Park Service (NPS) in partnership with the National Endowment for the Arts (NEA), the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) and the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). We received $850,000 in Community Project Funding from the Office of Delegate Stacey Plaskett in 2024 and an additional $1 million in 2025 to contribute to the $3 million in funding needed to complete the rehabilitation of Building 2. Building 2 will become the site of architecture and trades school.
Educational Programs for High School and College Students
VIAC received Capacity Building funding from the Department of Interior’s Technical Assistance Program for college internships and summer pilot programs in historic preservation, built heritage, technology and trades. We successfully completed two years of summer pilot programs and our college internship program. We also provide educational support to Virgin Islands classrooms interested in learning more about the built heritage of the Virgin Islands.
Storytelling and Placekeeping at the Old Barracks Property
VIAC received funding from the Community Foundation of the Virgin Islands to begin the research and presentation of the story of the over 275-year-old Barracks Building. VIAC researchers conducted interviews with community members who went to school, worked in or lived nearby the Old Barracks Property. These stories will become part of the VIAC Storytelling documentary and its growing archive. VIAC also received support from the Mellon Foundation to plan the cultural heritage visitor’s center portion of the project.
Our VIAC TEAM
Gerville Larsen, Frandelle Gerard, John Paul Huguley, are pictured here with collaborators from Denmark, Puerto Rico and the United States and consultants during the 2022
strategic development conference.
Mary Dema, President
Donna Christian-Christensen, Vice-President
Jerri Farrante, Secretary
Christiana Williams, Treasurer
Robert Schuster, Director
Dr. Chenzira Davis-Kahina, Director
Bo Manderup-Jensen, Director
Lee Rohn, Director
Jed JohnHope, Director
VIAC Advisory Council
Gerville Larsen – Virgin Islands
Frandelle Gerard – Virgin Islands
Roland Roebuck – U. S./ Virgin Islands
Garth Rockcastle – U.S.
John Paul Huguley – U. S.
Monica Marin – Virgin Islands
Chalana Brown – Virgin Islands
Kurt Marsh, Jr. – Virgin Islands
Ulla Lunn – Denmark
Arne Hoi – Denmark
Mogens Morgen – Denmark
Bente Ahlefeldt – Denmark
Michael Keldsen – Denmark
Birthe Leul – Denmark
Amal Ashur – Denmark
VIAC Staff/Consultants
Operational and Finance Manager
Amanda Sackey
Barracks Project Manager
Xavier Acevedo
Administrative Assistant
Kemora Harris
Fiduciary Partner
PLACE welcometoplace.org
Grant Writer/Manager/PR
Monique Clendinen Watson
VIAC’s Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity Statement
The Virgin Islands Architecture Center for Built Heritage and Crafts (VIAC) is committed to fostering an inclusive and equitable environment that values diversity and ensures equal opportunity for all. VIAC does not discriminate based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic in its programs, activities, or employment practices. We are dedicated to promoting respect, collaboration, and empowerment, ensuring that all individuals have equitable opportunities for learning, growth, and contribution. VIAC actively works to uphold the principles of fairness and inclusivity in all aspects of our organization, reflecting our commitment to social justice and preserving heritage for all members of our community.
Make a difference with your contribution to this dynamic community development organization.