A new kind of chill is coming to St. Thomas this month — the kind that runs down your spine, as a haunted history tour prepares to be unveiled.
American Ghost Walks is launching a haunted history tour at the island’s iconic Fort Christian, promising an educational mix of ghost stories, folklore, and true tales from the past.
The tour will blend entertainment and education, hoping to shine a light on the Virgin Islands’s rich culture, folklore, and history through engaging storytelling.
“What we do through our haunted history tours is talk about the real history and the experiences people have had,” said owner Mike Huberty. “We connect those paranormal experiences to the history of a place and even what was going on in the world at the time. We put it together in a package where people can take a two-hour guided tour, learn all these stories, and feel that connection in a different way. It’s not just a civics lesson or a dry history tour, it’s full of exciting storytelling and local flavor.”
The Fort Christian tour, projected to begin Oct. 21, will offer a two-hour guided experience through the storied halls and grounds of the 17th-century fortress. While the Fort Christian tour has yet to open, American Ghost Walks has already been operating in St. Thomas since May, when it began tours of Charlotte Amalie.
The company, though relatively new to the island, has made it a priority to connect with local organizations to ensure each tour is both authentic and engaging.
Huberty says they work closely with organizations like the St. Thomas Historical Trust and local business owners to gather stories and verify historical details. “We make sure we work closely with all our partners so that the experience feels genuine and that people’s stories feel respected,” he said. “Local buy-in is everything.”
“We always work to get local buy-in as much as possible, and goodwill,” Huberty said. “And we do that by trying to represent everybody accurately, fairly, and also in an exciting, fun way. People learn history along with the ghost stories, and they’re like, ‘Yeah, I learned a million things today, and I had a great time.’”
That mix of education and entertainment has struck a chord with both locals and visitors. Huberty says many reviews from the haunted tours, held across eight states and two territories, come from residents who discovered new things about their communities and developed a deeper appreciation for their home. “When you get reviews like that, you know you’re on the right track,” he said.
The experience will draw from the island’s rich heritage, weaving together tales from Danish settlers, the enslaved community, the Jewish community, and more. “The more perspectives that we can bring to the tour, the more interesting and educational it’s going to be for people,” Huberty said.
Participants can expect a mix of ghost stories, folklore, and historical anecdotes — everything from pirate legends to UFO sightings over the Charlotte Amalie Harbor. The tour will highlight both the well-known and the hidden aspects of Fort Christian, including secret passages, the governor’s quarters, and panoramic rooftop views.
The experience is designed to appeal to a wide audience, including history buffs, tourists, families, and anyone curious about the island’s past. “People love ghost stories, and the Virgin Islands has plenty,” Huberty said.
As American Ghost Walks prepares to open its newest tour, the company is looking to the community for even more stories and legends. Huberty encourages anyone with a powerful, interesting, or personally meaningful story to reach out. “Bringing local stories to life through folklore and ghost tales is what we’re trying to do. If anyone has a story they’d like to share, they can contact me. I’d love to hear it and see how we can integrate it or honor that experience.”
With the Fort Christian tour set to launch, American Ghost Walks aims to give both visitors and locals an innovative way to connect with the island’s past. To learn more or share your own local paranormal encounters, visit American Ghost Walks’ website or contact owner Mike Huberty at mike@americanghostwalks.com.
St. Croix Source
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