July 28, 2007 — More than four years after a truck brought down the roof of the Sanderilla Thomas Bungalow in Rothschild Francis Market Square, the culturally significant pavilion reopened with much fanfare Saturday morning.
The center of commerce since the 1800s, Market Square became home to the bungalow somewhere around the turn of the century; no one knows exactly when it was built.
When it was collapsed in April 2003 and closed for business local farmers and fisherman lost their retail venue.
On Saturday, they got it back. Speaking on behalf of the governor and lieutenant governor, acting-Governor Claudette Watson-Anderson said, "It's open for business today!"
"And it's been truck-proofed," she said referring to the yellow-topped barricades surrounding the structure.
The bungalow was named for Sanderilla Thomas in 1984. Thomas was a well-known and respected local matriarch and market woman.
Not only is the bungalow the place where commerce traditionally took place, it was also the pulpit from which many of the territory's political and religious orators spoke.
Cultural maven Maryann Christopher reminded the crowd of that after performing a dance tribute to the "market woman." She took to the podium to recite a poem handed down from her great-grandmother's great-grandmother, one line of which said, "Not even slavery could bend her proud head."
Christopher went on to say the bungalow was not only used for commerce, "The bungalow was used for political commentary."
On Saturday, it was also used for music, drumming and memories.
John Farrington, grandson of Thomas, after singing a tribute to her, said he was able to realize his dream of coming to St. Thomas because his grandmother was willing to take him and his two children in. Farrington was born and lived his childhood in Harlem. It was with his grandmother's support that allowed him to raise his children on St. Thomas — a fact that pleases him deeply.
LaVerne Moorhead remembered being raised by Thomas, also her grandmother. "I loved her," Moorhead said, adding that Saturday's celebration was both "sad and joyful" for her.
Thomas died in January 1999 at the age of 87. To hear it told, she was responsible for raising half of the island of St. Thomas.
One of her daughters, Ethlyn Joseph, said, "I feel overwhelmed today." Joseph went on to say she was committed to trying "to do the best for the market" that bears her mother's name.
The plaque commemorating the 1984 dedication says, "For more than 50 years she graced this market pavilion …with her special charm, wit, diplomacy and marketing skills."
It goes on to say that "Miss Sandy" as she was fondly known, contributed "significantly … to the economic, social, cultural and political development of St. Thomas and the greater Virgin Islands."
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