Virtual Tours

Museum of Nevis History; Birthplace of Alexander Hamilton & The Christena Disaster Memorial

This two-story Georgian building was the birthplace of Alexander Hamilton in 1757. Hamilton lived on the island until he was nine years old.

Later in life, he helped draft the United States Constitution and served as Secretary of the Treasury. He was an outspoken advocate of emancipation from slavery.

the ground floor of this building now houses one of two museums on the island. Upstairs are the meeting rooms of the Nevis Council. Right outside the ground by the bay front is a stone memorial of Nevisians who loss their lives at sea as we know now as 'The Christena Disaster', where M.V Christena capsized due to overcapacity by the narrows between the sister islands.

The beautiful stone building he built around 1680 was destroyed in the 1840 earthquake and restored in 1983. Its historic value combined with its beautiful location on Charlestown Harbour, make it an island treasure and a delightful place to spend an afternoon.

Last Updated: 11 November 2023

Jewish Cemetery

The cemetery was built in 1684 and covers 200’ x 75’. It is one of the oldest established cemeteries in Nevis. Its earliest grave dates to 1679 and the latest 1768. Hebrew, Portuguese and English texts are evident on the stones.

19 recognizable gravestones on lot encircled by block wall, 17 bear inscriptions majority being Portuguese. Most elaborate: Bathsheba Abundiente August 8, 1684. It is a relic of Jewish community about ¼ of Charlestown’s population pre 1700.

First grave of Ester Maraché Feb. 20. 1679. Last burial of Jacob Vas Mendes 1768. In 1688, Jewish (Spanish-Portuguese) population built Synagogue and the first Jews were traders in 1650; first record of settlement in 1678. In 1724 Charlestown boasted a population of 300 whites and ¼ (75) were Jews with 6 households (1707/1708 census Stern 1971:22 and Terrell & Hill 1994:6). The low population of Jews is due to the epidemics of 1689-1690, French raid in 1706 and/or the 1772 Hurricane.

Last Updated: March 2024

Hamilton Estate Ruins

Hamilton Estate was known as Walkers or Windmill Plantation. It was comprised of three plantation estates; Hamilton, Upper or Payne’s Upper known as Morgans and Jerusalem which appeared to joined together before 1772.

Andrew Hamilton purchased the estate in 1772 from Sir Ralph Payne-Knight Companion of the Most Honorable Order of both Captain and General and Governor-in-Chief in and over all his Majesty’s Leeward Caribee Islands in America. It is one of the most complete plantation factories in the

Caribbean. Consists of a windmill, boiling house, Hamilton house and stables.

Last Updated: March 2024

Fort Charles

Initial construction of Fort Charles began as early as the 1630s, with the aim of protecting Charlestown and its harbour. Mounting 26 cannons, Fort Charles was the main fort on the island, although there were numerous other, smaller gun emplacements. The reason for all of these fortifications was the protection of Nevis' lucrative sugar trade, which at one time was more profitable for Britain than all of the North American colonies combined.

In 1706, the entire island was overrun by French forces under Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville. During this action, Fort Charles was outflanked and taken from the landward entrance. Many of the cannon on the island were disabled by the French prior to their leaving.

In 1782, the fort elected to hold its fire when French Admiral Count François de Grasse passed within range on his way to Saint Kitts; the French fleet was vastly superior to Nevisian defenses. The entire island of Nevis subsequently surrendered to de Grasse without a shot, allowing him to lay siege to Brimstone Hill on Saint Kitts. During this period, Fort Charles was briefly garrisoned by a small French garrison, and all available guns were removed for use against the British forces on St. Christopher. De Grasse managed to capture Saint Christopher, but the Treaty of Paris returned both Saint Christopher and Nevis to Britain. Two other attacks on Nevis were repulsed by French forces under Jérôme Bonaparte in 1805 and 1806.

By 1854, all forts on Nevis had been abandoned. Remains of old walls, cisterns, powder magazines and a few cannons.

Last Updated: February 2024

Bath Hotel, House and Springs

First Tourist Hotel in the Caribbean

Built by John Huggins in 1778 for £40,000-43,000, today's purchasing power is around £8,386,965.35 ($28,664,461.24 XCD). The hotel accommodated 50 guests and made use of the sulfur hot springs provided. The hot water is effective for various diseases such as rheumatism and gout.

The hotel was spacious and well built, 200 feet long and 100 feet wide. Over several floors, it has a ballroom and grand dining room, and a garden that was often compared to one of the ancient wonders of the world, the 'Gardens of Babylon', with a goldfish pond, stables and a wine cellar.

As of March 2021, the hotel and bathhouse grounds are government-owned and registered in the name of the Nevis Housing and Land Development Corporation, the corporation that owns the land on behalf of the Nevis Island Authority. The hotel is currently closed (May 2022) for emergency renovations and preservation, but the hot springs are open to the public.

Last Updated: 11 November 2023

Cottle Church Ruins

Thomas Cottle, a Nevisian lawyer, had the church constructed by the people he had enslaved. The construction began in 1822 and was completed in 1824 despite a severe economic depression.

Opened on May 5, 1824, the Cottle Church was notable for being the first on Nevis to welcome everyone, including enslaved individuals, for worship. The church's first Reverend was Rev. Daniel Davis.

Following Thomas Cottle's death in 1828, the church fell into disuse. It was later rebuilt by Governor Sir Graham Briggs in the late 19th century, but it again fell into ruin as the island's population declined at the turn of the 20th century. Today, the Cottle Church is being preserved and is open to the public.

First Church on Nevis to Welcome Enslaved Africans and Slave Owners for Worship Together

Last Updated: 05 May 2024