Discover St. Thomas in all its glory and ugliness. 200-Year-Old slave quarters.

Welcome to 13W (aka The Slave House), a unique space in all the Virgin Islands. What was once a lowly and humble home for slaves and servants is now a vibrant cultural destination celebrating the rich history and culture in Charlotte Amalie.

Located In Charlotte Amalie

Located in Old Town, 13W was all but abandoned for decades, left to rot and deteriorate. Possibly a fitting ending for a home that housed enslaved people and probably saw much in the way of misery.

But it is also possible that the inhabitants found joy and peace and love inside these walls. Not every moment they experienced was despair. There was dancing and music and friendships and fun. How else can you survive if you don’t find a way to smile in adversity.

So instead of focusing on the suffering of a people or place, why not focus on the good that came from these people. We hope to honor their memory and lives by turning their home into a place of laughter, joy and amazing memories.

Steeped in history, the property is well over 200 years old. The current structure, as it now stands, dates back to around 1830.

Old rubble masonry walls throughout highlight the indoor space. The high ceilings were built from the ship boards of old retired vessels from the Golden Age of Sail.

In a small courtyard sits a one-of-a-kind double, outdoor cooking hearth used by the many people living here. At any time, a dozen or more people lived here and cooked their simple meals right in these ovens.

But what makes the property magical is the lush fauna in the private gardens behind the building. The inhabitants would have enjoyed their free time relaxing, tending to their gardens and raising small animals. Today, you can sit and relax in this unique tropical setting right in the heart of Charlotte Amalie.

Restoring a Historic Property

When we bought the building during Covid, the walls, roof and grounds were in deplorable shape. Trees grew in the walls and roof. Water poured in to many openings. The backyard was filled with waste of every imaginable type. Car engines, plastic bags, glass, discarded metal, broken building tiles, nails, silverware, 2 toilets, and rotting wood were encountered with almost every pull of a rake. After a few dumpsters full of garbage was removed, you could finally see terra firma.

I’m Island Mike and my wife is Amber. We are a husband and wife team that have been planning events for years and have single-handedly hosted more events than just about anyone in the islands – from small weddings and receptions to lavish corporate parties…and even a soccer banquet or two.

During the pandemic, when events were slowing to a crawl, we got bored and a bit nervous about our careers. So we bought an old, forgotten building. A structure that was lost to time, abandoned and destined for condemnation.

But a fateful moment occurred when we visited the property. Hidden behind walls of garbage and debris we saw glimpses of the brick walls. And then there was the tiny courtyard where there sat an incredible specimen – an outdoor, double oven. It was crumbling and left to rot but we knew it must be a relic of a rich history.

So, being slightly delusional and delirious we bought the place. And spent the better part of 3 years putting her back together. She is a lovely building with the elegance that only can be earned with time. And her gardens are unique in the islands for their grace in an urban setting.

So when you visit you’ll get to get a sense of the space and lives of those enslaved people that called 13 Wimmelskafts home.

You feel the weight of history…

History Timeline

1671 – Danish West Indian Company Created

1672 – Formal Colonization of St. Thomas and Start of Building Fort Christian

1830 (approximately) – 13 Wimmelskafts

1848 – Emancipation of Enslaved People

1917 – United State Purchases the Virgin Islands from Danish

2017 – Hurricanes Irma and Marie Strike

2020 – Purchase of 13 Wimmelskafts Slave House by Island Mike and Amber

2025 – 3 Queens Distillery is Born

2026 – Coffee Roastery Opens and Hot Sauce Manufacturing Begins