Documenting modern Guam rising from the destruction of war: 1945-1970 1
2 3
Guampedia was awarded a grant from Guam Preservation Trust to document the period following World War II, a crucial time in Guam history. The Post War Era (19441950) and Guamanian Era (1950-1970) on Guam marked significant changes that shaped the island’s present. After World War II, lands were taken and villages moved for new military bases and CHamorus fought for self-governance against US Naval command. In order to document this formative period from both a historical and CHamoru centric perspective, Guampedia will conduct interviews, in CHamoru when possible, with local figures at the forefront of this political and social change and make it accessible on our website.
4
Through the course of the project, Guampedia will work with the Richard F. Taitano’s Micronesia Area Research Center at UOG and the US National Archives to support the oral histories with research materials. This five-year project will encompass the various facets of life that transformed the island’s cultural landscape over the 25 year period. It will be documented through
(1) Joint session of the Guam Congress, 1949, Sanchez Collection (2) General merchandise store at the temporary camp in Agana, MicSem/ National Archives (3) Carabao cart in front of San Antonio church in Agana, MicSem/National Archives (4) View of Sumay PostWar, Guam Museum
written entries and multimedia presentations. These will be a resource for future generations, for schools, the community, and the longevity of Guam history.
If you have information about this era, or know people who can help, please email guampedia@gmail.com.
