DPNR Needs $7 Million to Construct Archives at Charles Turnbull Library; Digitization Efforts Continue

While residents express concern for the territory's archives currently at Fort Christian in St. Thomas, DPNR Commissioner Jean-Pierre Oriol dismissed any fear of the archives "blowing away".

Safeguarding the history of any one country is crucial to the preservation of culture and traditions. Unfortunately, the Department of Planning and Natural Resources continues to face challenges in archiving and digitizing artifacts and other materials.‌

The matter was first raised by Senator Milton Potter who chaired Monday’s meeting of the Committee on Disaster Recovery, Infrastructure and Planning. He reminded DPNR’s commissioner Jean Pierre Oriol that the law mandates that the territory’s archives be housed at the Enid Baa Library on St. Thomas. The legislator requested clarity on the department’s “vision” for a robust archival program.