Annaberg Sugar Plantation is a historic site located on the island of St. John

in the United States Virgin Islands. The plantation was originally

established in the late 18th century by a Danish immigrant named William

Gottlieb, who purchased the land and began cultivating sugar cane.

Over the years, Annaberg Sugar Plantation grew to become one of the largest

and most successful sugar plantations in the Caribbean. At its height,

the plantation covered over 1,300 acres of land and employed hundreds of

workers, many of whom were enslaved Africans who were brought to the

island to work on the sugar cane fields.

Despite the plantation's success, life for the enslaved workers was harsh and

oppressive. They were forced to work long hours in the hot sun, often

with little food or water, and were subjected to brutal punishments for

even the smallest infractions. Despite this, the enslaved workers at

Annaberg Sugar Plantation persisted, and their labor helped to make the

plantation one of the most profitable in the region.

In the mid-19th century, however, the global sugar market began to shift,

and the profitability of sugar plantations like Annaberg began to

decline. By the early 20th century, the plantation had been abandoned,

and much of its infrastructure had fallen into disrepair.

In the 1950s, however, the National Park Service began to restore the

plantation, and today, Annaberg Sugar Plantation is a popular tourist

attraction and a testament to the resilience and perseverance of the

enslaved workers who once toiled there. Visitors to the site can explore

the plantation's ruins, learn about its history, and gain a deeper

understanding of the complex legacy of slavery in the Caribbean.