At Windsor Farm, our work is more than just clearing brush to keep trails open. For years, the historical old Estate Windsor plantation site was hidden under thick vegetation, old tires, and debris.

As we remove each layer, the rich story of the plantation and later Island Dairies farm is revealed.

Windsor Farm was once Estate Windsor, a sugar plantation in St. Croix’s Queen’s Quarter. Historic maps show sugar cane was growing here by 1750. The stone windmill, marked “Built A.D. 1756,” was part of the plantation’s operations and remains a striking ruin today.

Ownership changed over the years. Early records show Johan Wilhelm Schoppen and Adrian von Beverhout as owners. Later, Laurence Bodkin is listed, and by 1790, Nugent appears in the maps. These changes reflect the history of land use during the Danish colonial period.

After its plantation era, the land became part of Island Dairies farm.

In the past few months, our team has been carefully uncovering ruins and clearing the site to make it accessible while honoring its layered history. Several dumpsters of old tires and debris have been removed, revealing the windmill, and other historic features.

With support from the Virgin Islands Department of Agriculture’s Urban and Community Forestry Assistance Program, we will be planting native trees, installing picnic benches, and preparing interpretive signage. Windsor Farm will be a space for the community to explore, learn, and enjoy both nature and history.

History and nature are coming together at Windsor Farm, creating a place for visitors of all ages to walk, discover, and connect with the past.