Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

The Fight to Keep Tumon Public

Tumon Bay has a lengthy history and special significance for the CHamoru people whose ancestors lived and thrived in Tomhom (Tumon) area for millennia, establishing sizable villages, such as Ipao, Tomhom, Naton, Gokña, and Fafå’i. The richness of their lives there are attested by the imprints of pole and thatch structures and numerous other artifacts from the Pre-Latte era (3,500-4,000 years ago to AD 800-900) as well as abundant archeological evidence from the later Latte era (AD 800-900 to 1700s), including numerous sets of latte pillars, pottery shards, fish hooks, lusong mortars, and slingstones.

Art, Architecture, Body Adornment, Music and Food, Creative Expression, Historic Eras of Guam, Island Life, Music, People and Places, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII, WWII/Japanese Era

Song of Hope, Song of Faith

Ditty urged the Americans to return. I used to listen lo my auntie’s stories about the invasion, occupation, liberation and other things concerning the Japanese on Guam back then. She told me all about the “Uncle Sam” song and used to sing different versions of it, all the while a smile upon her face.

Historic Eras of Guam, Island Life, Modern Guam Rises, People and Places, Post WWII Era, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII

Liberation Day Queen Contest

History of Liberation Queen Competition. While there were Liberation Day commemorations since 1945 the first Liberation Day queen contest wasn’t held until 1948. Beatrice Blas Calvo Perez was the first Liberation Day Queen of Guam. The winner was declared based on ticket sales, just as it is today.

Guampedia Resources, Heritage Sites, Historic Eras of Guam, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life, Wars and Factors of Peace, WWII, WWII/Japanese Era

WWII Monuments and Sites Map

CHagui’an Memorial, Yigo. The CHagui’an Memorial site, on the north-central plateau of Guam, is where the largest known single act of violence on Guam occurred, just at the end of World War II. Among the thousands of CHamorus held at the Manenggon concentration camp, 45 men were taken and forced to carry supplies to an Imperial Japanese Army command post at Milalak near CHagui’an, Yigo. They were killed by the Japanese to prevent them from providing information to the Americans.

Guam's Villages, Guampedia Resources, Media Galleries, Multimedia, People and Places, Photo Galleries, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

Back to Sumai Event Gallery

Photos from the Back to Sumai event by Edward B. San Nicolas, US Navy Base Guam’s Joint Region Marianas Public Affairs Office, and Guampedia.

Guam's Villages, Guampedia Resources, Media Galleries, Multimedia, People and Places, Photo Galleries, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

Sumai (Sumay) Photographic Presentation

A slideshow of Sumai through the seven historic eras of Guåhan.

Chamorro Culture, Division of Resources, Island Life, Our Heritage, People and Places, Resources, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

Passion for Pugua

Betel nut use. Areca (Betel) nut is the seed of the palm known scientifically as Areca catechu. Betel nut is the fourth most widely used psychoactive substance in the world, following only caffeine, alcohol, and tobacco. These substances act upon the central nervous system to alter brain function, resulting in temporary changes in perception, mood, consciousness and behavior. Over 600 million people chew betel nut worldwide, including Indians, Asians, and Pacific Islanders. In the Mariana Islands, betel nut, or pugua, chewing is a social pastime that extends friendship.

Civic Society, Education, Island Life, People and Places, US Naval Era: Education, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

Guam Teachers’ Association

Guam Teachers’ Association called for collections to begin for a Guam Museum. In 1925 a group of CHamoru teachers in Guam, led by Ramon M. Sablan, formed the Guam Teachers’ Association.

Historic Eras of Guam, Island Life, People and Places, US Naval Era, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

American Legion

The American Legion is a federally chartered veterans organization that supports veterans’ issues and engages in other community projects. The American Legion Mid-Pacific Post No. 1 was founded in Guam in 1930 under Naval Governor Willis Bradley. When the Guam Museum was first established in 1932, Governor Edmund S. Root authorized the use of a small building adjacent to the Plaza de España’s historic grounds fronting and surrounding the Governor’s Palace. The newly formed American Legion offered to manage it. Hiram W. Elliot, post commander, and Naval Chaplain Francis Lee Albert. Elliot hired Joaquin T. Aguon to help with the collections.

Guamanian Era, Historic Eras of Guam, Island Life, Modern Guam Rises, People and Places, Villages, Heritage Sites and Island Life

Guam Historical Club

The Guam Historical Club was a small group of people interested in Guam history in the 1950s and 1960s. Led by Paul Souder and Agueda Iglesias Johnston, the Club helped tell the story of Guam history at the Guam Museum when it was located at the Garden House at the Plaza de España. Members helped care for the artifacts, engaged with visitors as needed, and worked in cooperation with the Guam Women’s Club who staffed the museum at the time.