The “crown jewel” in our listing portfolio is Estate Mt. Washington. This property is so very unique and beautiful, and now the building of it has been chronicled in a wonderful book by the owners, Tony and Nancy Ayer.
In 1984 Anthony Ayer, who grew up in St. Croix, and his wife, Nancy, discovered the ruins of the Mount Washington greathouse while exploring a large parcel of land near Frederiksted. They were inspired to restore the buildings and grounds that were one of the island’s original Danish estates, dating back to 1750.
Highly sensitive to the issue of slavery, the Ayers went to great lengths to “tell it like it was.” They and others did extensive research using Danish Colonial records, including census reports and tax records, and other historical data to create a factual presentation of the people who lived and worked on the estate, including their jobs, religions, places of birth, mortality rates and other information.
Indeed, by 1990, when most of Estate Mount Washington’s restoration was completed, the Ayers were well ahead of today’s direction of not glossing over the slavery issue but putting it out front, as does the Whitney Plantation in Louisiana, which opened in 2017, and the National Museum of African American History and Culture in Washington, D.C., which opened in 2016.
The book includes numerous photographs of Estate Mount Washington from its initial “discovery” by the Ayers throughout the restoration, as well as extensive information about the history of the estate and its residents.
Today, Estate Mount Washington remains open to the public free of charge, and is listed for sale at a price of $1,900,000. Visitors can explore the grounds, which includes a labyrinth, rum factory, sugar mill, dungeon, and stables. Nancy Ayers has spent years collecting authentic West Indian mahogany furniture of the period with which to furnish the greathouse.
The greathouse remains a private residence and is closed to the public, but the Ayers have made it available for many events benefiting U.S. Virgin Islands charities, and of course if you are a qualified buyer, we would be happy to arrange a showing.
Several acres of the estate are planted in citrus and avocado trees. The surrounding property has been designated a wildlife refuge and provides habitat for wild parrots, parakeets, hawks, and deer.
Coinciding with the release of “Estate Mount Washington,” this week Nancy and Tony Ayer will participate in a book signing and discussion at 4 p.m., February 23 at Caribbean Museum Center for the Arts, Frederiksted.
Wouldn’t you like to make this amazing property your next home? If so, we can help you make this dream come true! Contact us with questions and to arrange to view this magnificent home. Click here for the listing details: