From: Filippo cassinelli ‹

From: Filippo cassinelli ‹ > To: undisclosed recipients: ; Subject: St. Thomas Historical trust Date: Wed, 02 May 2012 18:56:42 +0000 Attachments: 9-23-11 membership_form.pdf Dear friends, I joined the board of the St. Thomas Historical Trust in 2010 to help raise money for Hassel Island. Our major initiative this year is to get the Hassel Island National Park open for the enjoyment of the public in 2013. We are working closely with the NP to achieve this goal. A few of our major accomplishments in the past 12 months are as follows: We cleared and opened trails to all the 13 historical sites on Hassel including the placement of interpretive signage and 6 park benches. We published with the National Park a Hassel Island Map and pocket Tour guide for visitors to use during hikes. Thanks to a grant from the VI Port Authority we were able to repair the dock at the southern tip of Hassel Island providing access to the Garrison House and Prince Frederik's battery. We have stabilized Creque's Marine Railway building. Repaired the adjacent original iron cistern and constructed a new roof for it. We also received a grant from the VI department of agriculture for landscaping Creque Marine with indigenous plants. As the oldest remaining Marine rail repair facility in the western hemisphere it is of great historical significance. The Trust participated in preparing a grant application to the department of Interior with the VI National Park resulting in a grant award of $198,000 for the documentation of the Napoleonic War era sites on Hassel Island. Finally, in February I hosted a fund raiser dinner at my house. We raised $40,000 which will be used exclusively for the restoration of the Garrison house. Built in 1807-15 to store armaments and ammunition for the Danish soldiers. The community support and enthusiasm for seeing Hassel Island open as a National Park has been incredible. Having a large and supportive membership has been a critical factor in achieving our success to date. We need your help and would deeply appreciate your activating a membership today! I have attached a form for your convenience. Its only $25 dollars. Please join the St. Thomas Historical trust and help us continue to serve the community by preserving and protecting our history and cultural monuments. Best Regards, Filippo Cassinelli Please contact me with any questions EFTA00934479