The property where Villa Olga stands has a long and varied history. It was settled by the first Danish Governor of St. Thomas, Jurgen Iversen, in 1672-1679. The name of the estate differed from "Dybbel, Dyppel, to Dopple". This name was believed to be Iversen's nickname. Oral history has it that he built a dyke in the channel to Hassel Island so as to extend his holdings.
     The estate went through many owners during the 18th century and its name was changed to Altona and Welsgunst. It seems to have been a livestock type of estate with sugar and vegetable cultivation. At this time the Public or Western Cemeteries were founded on lands of the estate. In 1821, it was owned by one Abraham Helm who deeded a piece of the estate to the Moravian Church and the St. Thomas Synagogue, both for cemeteries. In 1894 the Russian Consul Theodor Brondsted bought what was left of the estate, including the Villa and the cisterns for $12,000 from the Helm descendants. He renamed the estate Villa Olga and it was used as the Russian Embassy for the next nine years. It was then sold to a Mrs. Petersen in 1904. It went through several owners and names before its present use as an outdoor restaurant.
     The main house is thought to date from the 1850's, but there is evidence of earlier foundations dating back to the early 18th century. It has thick rubble walls to withstand hurricanes and earthquakes. The doors and windows have wooden hurricane shutters and are trimmed with brick brought over from Scotland as ballast. It has decorative tile work on the welcoming arms of the staircase at the entrance and the surrounding galleries. The galleries are a typical West Indian feature to help shade the house from the tropical heat, and catch the tradewinds. The house was badly damaged by Hurricane Marilyn in 1995, and has been lovingly restored and renovated and is now open to the public as a fine restaurant.
 
Philip Sturm, Commissioner
The St. Thomas/St. John Historic Preservation Commission