Civilizing the Museum

Christine Taitano DeLisle

University of Michigan Working Papers in Museum Studies Number 4 (2010) Museum Studies Program Charles H. Sawyer Center for Museum Studies University of Michigan Museum of Art 525 South State Street Ann Arbor, MI 48109-1354

Office phone: 734-936-6678 Fax: 734-786-0064 www.ummsp.lsa.umich.edu [email protected]

© 2010 University of Michigan All rights reserved

The University of Michigan Museum Studies Program’s series of “Working Papers in Museum Studies” presents emerging re- search from a variety of disciplinary perspectives, all focused on the multiple concerns of the modern museum and heritage stud- ies field. Contributions from scholars, members of the museum profession and graduate students are represented. Many of these papers have their origins in public presentations made under the auspices of the Museum Studies Program. We gratefully thank the authors published herein for their participation.

This paper was first presented as part of the University of Michigan Museum Studies Program’s “Issues in Museum Studies” lecture series on April 16, 2009. It is the product of research supported by a U-M Museum Studies Program Fellowship for Doc- toral Research in Museums. Tina DeLisle is a member of the 2005 cohort in the U-M Museum Studies Program and is currently a research fellow and lecturer in the Program in American Culture at the University of Michigan. [email protected] Civilizing the Civilizing the Guam Museum

Christine Taitano DeLisle Chamorros.5 Of particular interest is how both white and University of Michigan native members of the Legion saw the Museum as a vehicle for pushing political progress in Guam, most especially In 2006, the Guam Museum Foundation unveiled its plans U.S. citizenship for Chamorros. This is noteworthy for a new museum. According to Andrew Laguaña of because, though the push for U.S. citizenship might seem Architects Laguaña + Cristobal, the firm whose blueprint to be, from the perspective of an anti-colonial struggle, for the new museum was chosen as the winning design, the a conservative tack, the Chamorro leadership at the time design was inspired by the work of architect and understood that U.S. citizenship for the Chamorros would city planner Daniel Burnham. Quoting Burnham, Laguaña grant coverage and application of the U.S. Constitution over elaborated: the island and thus protect Chamorros against the whims of naval governance. U.S. citizenship was sought as a way Make No Little Plans; they have no magic to stir to gain political rights and civil liberties that just did not men’s blood and probably will themselves not be exist under military rule. Second, I focus on the prewar realized. Make big plans; aim high in hope and relationship between the naval , Willis Bradley, work, remembering that a noble, logical diagram and the Legion. Bradley is most noted for championing a once recorded will not die, but long after we are Bill of Rights for Chamorros under his term (1929 to 1931), gone will be a living thing, asserting itself with ever- for which he was blackballed by the military hierarchy in growing insistency. Remember that our sons and Washington D.C. What is less known is that Bradley played grandsons are going to do things that would stagger a major role in assisting the Legion in the establishment us. Let your watchword be order and your beacon of the Guam Museum and that this relationship helped beauty. Think big.1 establish another crucial one between the Bishop Museum in and the Guam Museum. This new relationship At $20 million, the largest public commission in Guam’s led to the restructuring of the Guam Museum and, history to-date, the 52,000 square-feet of museum space beginning in 1930, to the de-accessioning of objects from is indeed a grand (and for some, a grandiose) undertaking. the Bishop Museum to the Guam Museum. A second For this reason, the Guam Museum has stirred different instance of de-accessioning took place in 2000 when emotions: excitement, trepidation, and skepticism. There is the Bishop Museum repatriated a large set of Chamorro trepidation and skepticism, given the global recession and ancestral remains to Guam. Guam’s own fiscal hardship, but also excitement, because in its 79 years of existence—starting with what former Guam Museum Director (1995 to 2007) called the Exhibiting Culture, History, and “One Hundred museum’s “modest beginning” under the American Legion Percent Americanism”: The Guam Museum —the Guam Museum has never had a permanent facility.2 under the American Legion

This paper sets out to trace this “modest beginning” as part The Guam Museum opened its doors in 1932 under of a larger history that examines the transformation of the the auspices of the American Legion. Members of the Guam Museum from a civilizing and modernizing project American Expeditionary Forces founded the American under the auspices of military and U.S. Naval Legion in 1919 to improve troop morale during World War rule from 1898 to 1950, to a territorial government and I and the Guam-based Mid-Pacific Post Number 1, one nationalist project that struggles to balance a specifically of nearly 15,000 posts established worldwide, opened in indigenous heritage with a multicultural and multiracial 1930.6 Though this was the era of the , society in Guam emergent in the second half of the 20th which had impacted the island to some degree, Guam century under self-rule.3 This paper and its title draw experienced relative growth in its physical and political from Elaine Gurian’s analyses of the changing definitions infrastructure. In 1929, for example, Governor Bradley of museums and the challenges that they face in the 21st addressed the question of the political rights of the century in colonial, postcolonial, and in Guam’s case, Chamorros, installing a local Bill of Rights for which he neo-colonial milieus.4 I focus on two particular moments is still fondly remembered.7 In keeping with the Legion’s in the pre-World War II history of the Guam Museum. larger mission to “preserve the memories and incidents First, I examine the establishment of the Museum in 1932 of the U.S. involvement in the Great Wars” and to “foster by the American Legion in Guam. This establishment and perpetuate a one hundred percent Americanism,” and sponsorship by the Legion culminated in a movement Post Number 1 organized activities on Guam such as that is intelligible within a naval colonial narrative Armistice Day.8 The Legion also did its share to promote of civilization and progress for Guam and the native the U.S. Navy’s larger civilizing and modernizing projects

1 UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4 (2010) Civilizing the Guam Museum UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4(2010) Number Studies, in Museum Papers Working UM shop. curio own her she established that fact the in seen is colonial the the work museum to of affiliation own Gertrude’s legends. and folklore Chamorro collected who Constenoble, Hans Guam, in entrepreneur German of a daughter the was earlier, whom years he eloped with “Trudes fondly as remember (who Chamorros Gertrude wife, household: his Hornbostel the in evident also was “intertextuality” before present. 3500-4000 as back far as dated been had that remains ancestral and tools, fishhooks, stones, pottery, unearthing pillar) sites, Chamorro ancient at digs archaeological several conducted Hornbostel Rota, and Tinian, Saipan, Guam, In possessions. collective and personal valued their and remains ancestral of Chamorro disturbing own Hornbostel’s sponsoring in stone one with birds two killed speak, to so Honolulu in had, Bishop Museum the then, collection museum and rivalry of context imperial the In acover for also workwas espionage U.S. for the Navy. Mandate, Japanese the under then was which particular, in Marianas Hornbostel’sthat fieldworkthe Northern in revealed has scholarship 1926. historical Subsequent 1924 and between Islands Mariana the from artifacts and specimens Honolulu collect in to Bishop Museum by the commissioned been who had Hornbostel, Hans us.” to returned (sic) speciments of these “many …would probably be securing.” on keen so are museums which articles these collect to start to late it would longisland,” not that be before “too and it was the away sent from and collected have been interest and value of historical “specimens the out that pointing Guam, for matter “urgent” an was Rowley amuseum that judged family. aChamorro into Rowley married also had Guam. in Masons Club and of Elks the leader civic and businessman W. editor, The W. Rowley, American aprominent was U.S., the Chamorros. elite in and families their Guam, in Recorder island. the to benefit of valueand more being newspaper, of monthly the editor the monuments, ofsubject erecting resources. the lacked had it not because but could amuseum establish to attempted had organization, apredominantly-Chamorro Association, Teachers’ Guam the Guam, in historians local to According amuseum. about talk been 1932, to already had Prior there performers. military American and Chamorro featured show that of aminstrel was which highlight the campaign, afundraising launched Legion the year that Later Legion’s) Museum’s the as members “officialcustodians.” (the its identifying and Museum Guam the establishing to 1931, in “fully” resources pledgedits beginning Legion the schools. beautiful most and drilling, and marching club best work, agricultural best school garden, best as health. public and public works, of public education, areas the in 9 It awarded annual prizes for categories such such for categories prizes annual It awarded ’s readership was comprised of American military military of American comprised was ’s readership The Guam Recorder Guam The 13 “If Guam had a Museum,” he continued, aMuseum,” he continued, had Guam “If 14 Rowley was referring specifically to specifically Rowley referring was Aleman” 12 16 In 1926, amidst debate on the the on debate 1926, In amidst or “Gertrude the German”), German”), the or“Gertrude The imperial and museum museum and imperial The , identified a museum as a museum , identified latte 17 (stone The Guam Guam The

10 But 15 11

Recorder by expressed those echoed concerns Albert’s (D.O.E.), of Education Department told fellow legionnaires: cause. Museum Guam the up took Legion American the Recorder Guam The members), with (one and of charter Albert its Francis of U.S. Chaplain 1931, Navy In concerns the heeding after there were no competing museums in the region that had had that region the in museums no competing were there because authority that itMicronesia? have Could imagined into extensions its justify artifacts but Pacific Hawaiiana Bishop Museum’s the did not just of mission collecting people? for own how her exactly Or interests philanthropic strong had who herself Hawaiian native elite powerful aparticularly from resources its drew and after named it was but that origins, Polynesian in interests strong had that society of antiquarian an part was Museum Bishop the that it mean does What regard. this in Museum identity. national and of modernity production for sites the crucial itself. out of articulate it which must and with past native and aprimitive needs America, like all, after Modernity ongoing present. the to background native orprimitive display, to pre-modern the situate, and identify properly to needed one realization, and arrival their hasten to that and Guam, to enough quickly not come had modernity and progress opposite: that the suggest to new. hand, other the On for the “penchant” of Chamorro the because case the was inhabitants the of Guam history of ancient any the learn to impossible Rowley, Guam’s to about According past. “almost it was information of lack credible the was for amuseum import ofFor Editor the traditions.” land natural their in who held natives “firm other and Native to referring he was perhaps countries, other and America in children other to them he compared When older .” of their customs the remember to which by “nothing had children Chamorro D.O.E. Superintendent, For the extinct. was culture Chamorro that assumption the on operating U.S. the Americans Navy, both under with modernity of American onset the island’s in relics historical them and those to come in the future. the in come to those and them for of past Guam’s the customs and relics preserving of means find but we must also commendable, is ideas new for absorbing penchant Their generations. of older the customs the remember by to which have nothing today of Guam school children the traditions, land natural their in firm remain to apt are children where countries, other or in States, the in Unlike ideas. new grasp to eagerness children’s the schools of the Guam in I have noticed 18 Albert, who was also Superintendent of Guam’s Superintendent also who was Albert, 22 editor in 1926 about the urgency in preserving the the preserving in 1926 in urgency the about editor It is worth speculating on the role the on of Bishop the speculating It worth is ” at the time. ” atthe The Guam Recorder Guam The assisting “in all ways possible,” all “in assisting The Guam Recorder Guam The 20 For the Superintendent, this this For Superintendent, the 21 , the principal principal , the And museums are are museums And 19

editor seemed seemed editor The Guam Guam The from from 2 Civilizing the Guam Museum been taken over by competing imperial countries? Or by “actually viewing the objects which were at the time perhaps the museum was a powerful way to participate in existing” and which were on display at the Guam Museum. competing imperialisms. These included specimens of the ancient Chamorro latte, ancient Chamorro sling stones, but also, interestingly, the Perhaps recognizing the inability of Guam to compete in private chapel of Guam’s first-ordained Chamorro priest, this regard, in the preservation of its objects of “historical Pådre Jose Palomo, and Palomo’s own collection of ancient value,” Rowley pushed the issue: relics. Here, the more recent and ongoing history under Catholicism is also rendered part of the definitive past. Guam has no building suitable or other secure America was the future. “In the Guam Museum,” Elliott method for perserving (sic) records of historical continued, “can be seen many articles indicative of the past value, no museum where collections of natural, … after all, a thorough knowledge of one’s scientific or literary curiosities, or works of art ancestors often times results in the proper growth of racial may be placed for future reference … A substantial pride.”26 reinforced concrete building wherein such collection now available could be safe from the ravages of Two months later, again in the “Guam Museum” column time, fire, flood, earthquake and typhoons, would of The Guam Recorder, Post Commander Elliott appealed be of much more value and interest to the present once more to the public: inhabitants and the generations to come, than the monuments that have been proposed.23 Day after day, the urgent need of relic preservation becomes increasingly apparent. This is not the only Once the Museum was established, its new home located in time when the possibility of collecting antiquities the island’s capital city of Hagåtña in the Plaza de España, was brought up but without avail. We are fortunate seat of the Spanish colonial government and later U.S. to have conquered the first obstacle found on our Naval administration, the real, more difficult, work began way to establishing the Guam Museum for the for the Legion. In the Museum’s monthly column of The proper safe-keeping of every worthy antiquity. We Guam Recorder, Mid-Pacific Post Commander Hiram urge that every help due us be heartily contributed Elliott appealed to the island’s community for assistance so as to push us one or two steps higher than of any kind if even in the form of a “booster.” In October where we are, for we are very eager to have some 1935, on the third anniversary of the Guam Museum, preservation in order to enable us to present Elliott tried to pique the public’s interest and curiosity in something to our children of tomorrow.27 the Museum which he said housed “the most interesting and curious artifacts of the ancient Chamorro civilization, Elliott’s tone was one of disillusionment. He lamented a including implements and tools used in Guam in early lack of interest in the Museum, although it is not clear if 24 centuries.” Saving the most “curious” Chamorro artifact it was the Americans, the military personnel, or the entire for last, Elliott then spoke of the Museum’s most recent Guam population, or just the natives, who lacked interest.28 acquisition: He did seem to appeal to Chamorros in particular, later in his message, to take more of an interest in something that Since the establishment of the museum, much has the Legion felt would benefit all residents, but especially the been done to bring to light its real significance to native Chamorros. His lament, however, was overshadowed the people, and as a consequence its caretakers have by the preponderance of his requests, with prior examples. been more liberal in their efforts to achieve this “From a sea shell donation of a Umatac school-child to purpose. Particularly noteworthy of interest in the hearty and full indorsement (sic) of everyone in Guam,” Guam Museum to the future Chamorro children is Elliott reminded the reader that the Museum was not simply a collection of skeletal structural material donated an enterprise of the Legion in Guam but “an undertaking by the Bernice P. Bishop Museum of Honolulu. to be supported by every individual islander of all walks of These remains of the aboriginal Chamorro were life.” The Museum, he continued, was “established with no among the few excavated in the different parts of preference to any private concern or one particular society the Island several years ago by the field workers of but for the general welfare of the community and without the Honolulu institution and donated to the Guam any one possessing authority to lay claim of ownership on Museum at the request of the local American Legion it.”29 post.25 The Museum, of course, was in fact established around Resounding the sentiments expressed earlier by fellow specific concerns and narrow definitions of Chamorro legionnaire Francis Albert and American business and culture in the wake of progress and American modernity. civic leader W. W. Rowley about an acculturated people, It evolved with Guam’s social and political development Post Commander Elliott then reminded Chamorros that a and aspirations for a civil society, that is, literally, a society “clear conception of past history” could only be acquired 3 UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4 (2010) Civilizing the Guam Museum UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4(2010) Number Studies, in Museum Papers Working UM a into veritable Pacific the convert of military helping the indeed tropics, the in hospitality American extending and world the expanding role see –played to in no small eager civilians elite and dignitaries, government dependents, their and personnel of military equally –comprised visitors Guam. and Honolulu, Midway, in stopovers Wake Island featured and China, to onwards and Manila to Francisco San from flights service air trans-Pacific 1935 in many of first the was Clipper China Airways’ American flight of Pan inaugural region. Island Pacific the across stopovers island had which China, and U.S. the mainland between service “clipper” air possible by regularized made of visitors number the of in aspike advantage took tours island-wide the Islands, Pacific the in life cultural and social structure to tend that practices tourist and of military combination insidious and powerful particularly orthe “militourism,” of Teresia what Teaiwa manifestation early called has in 1936.An the over taken Government Navalby finally was Legion’s which the of Museum, the management of end tail the toward occurred Such tours visitors. 1935 in for transient of tours organization island-wide Museum’s Guam the in seen is history and culture ways of conceptualizing of narrow the evidence Another forms. introduced in than other bodies present and past of Chamorro record the orin record historical the in apparent not is readily latter the although even , and dance, music and genealogies, family like practices in of past the conceptions indigenous see easily rather we when can of history” storehouse a“veritable as of Museum view the the in evidenced is This over others. preservation historic and cultural of forms own its way of legitimizing aparticular with comes also terms, American exclusivelyon and western progress and modernity defines which thesis, acculturation progress. and of notions propriety native on based innovations and crossings cultural with transculturation, of acts as understood better are they of acculturation, signs as desires native these seeing than rather elsewhere, Ihave As argued history. and culture native their losing verge of the oron acculturated already either were Chamorros hospitals, better and roads, better schools, for English, desire their in that, concerned were Guam in Americans elite other and we legionnaires As saw earlier, Masons. the and Clubs, Elks the of Commerce, Chamber Guam the Young Club, Civil the Hagåtña Men’s of Guam, League the like men, and white and men Chamorro with filled organizations, of fraternal number aproliferating among one only was Legion American the Indeed, rule. naval under not were forthcoming that liberties for civil pushed who men movement of Chamorro upstart an –and families Chamorro into married –typically men of American composed was Itsleadership norms. and values American modern under but firmly rights, civil won limited had that 32 Such island-wide tours for such transient for transient such tours Such island-wide 31 30 The The The The many of whom remained and lived in Guam in the first two first the in Guam livedin and ofmany whom remained of 19th end century, the atthe Spanish by the Guam to who exiled were insurrectos Filipino revolutionary and liberal men―first of foreign cadre endeavor by aspecific this in assistance and support received also had Johnson, Agueda like women, Chamorro some and leadership, male Chamorro protection. for their ameans as U.S. citizenship actively sought and rule, U.S. Naval under military rights political 1901 as their early of for aclarification clamored as had leaders Chamorro earlier, mentioned As citizenship. of issue U.S. the around notably mission, modernizing and of Navy’s the limits the civilizing against up bumped also Americanism” percent “one hundred activities, However, museum Legion’s the foster, to through efforts Chamorros. the and Guam modernizing” and of project colonial “civilizing naval broader the with project of museum the complicity the showing further Americanism,” percent hundred one a perpetuating and Legion’s of mission “fostering broader the with consistent “American lake.” also were Such tours reappoint Bradley at the end of Governor Root’s of end Governor atthe Bradley term. reappoint to of Swanson Claude Navy Roosevelt Secretary and Franklin President petitioned Legion American the fact, In administration. his long after affairs political Chamorro in and Guam in level ahigh of interest maintained Bradley givenpowers. legislative finally and of people by the Guam elected mayors were village along with congresswomen and however, congressmen Bradley Under advisors. as only acted and Governors by previous handpicked were members its as insofar of amisnomer something was which Congress, Guam the reorganized He also of aBill Rights. promulgated Bradley earlier, mentioned As earlier. foundation the laid Root (1931-1933),Edmund had fact in Bradley Governor 1932 in would open Governor Museum the under Though the Legion, and the Guam Museum StakesThe in “Civilizing”: Governor Bradley, for it. price the paid and Chamorros for the rights political and civil who official championed colonial lone the as who noteworthy is Bradley Willis Governor Navy and Elliott Hiram Post Legion Commander between of letters aseries in than evident more this is perhaps Nowhere by others. stakes same the against up rubbed some by progress and civilization in stakes the words, other in by governors. naval proclamations and edicts women native by miscegenation marrying forbidden from were men American white when particularly progress, and of rights expression civil an it was latter, for the while of expression nationalism, an was rule military against For agitating former, island. the the on settlement term long imagined and families Chamorro into who married men later, American then of and U.S.decades rule, naval 33 Sometimes, Sometimes, 34

4 Civilizing the Guam Museum In the petition, the Legion identified Bradley in particular Museum’s final shipment, Bryan adds: as the right person “for the good of Guam,” and also specifically linked the “good of Guam” to the “unfinished This shipment gives you a very good exhibit of project of the Guam Museum.”35 It is interesting and telling skeletal material. It is quite probable that a little that an unfinished Museum was included in the argument digging around the archaeological ruins would made by the Legion―comprised of elite Chamorro men furnish you with dozens, if not hundreds of other and white men married into Chamorro families―for the skeletal remains….With our very best aloha for the selection of a naval governor. The Museum, a product of a growth and development of the Guam Museum.37 particular milieu of political progress and civil society in Guam, also became an important symbol and catalyst for With a touch of native Hawaiian expression of deep other forms of progress and development. For the Legion, love and affection (or was it good riddance?), the Bishop the Museum was a “sign of the times,” but its viability and Museum also closed its transaction with the Guam Museum success and the rewards of other forms of civilization rested by informing officials that it should do its own excavations on a particular narrative and legacy of progress, under for Guam’s “growth and development.” Bradley. With the deaccessioning of objects from the Bishop Although he was not reappointed, Bradley, a charter Museum, Bradley offered objects from his personal member of the American Legion in Guam, maintained collection of Guam memorabilia to the Guam Museum. close connections with the Legion and close tabs on Guam Some of his objects, such as the baseballs used during and the Guam Museum. At Elliott’s request, Bradley, the first games played on Bradley Field in the Plaza, were Captain of the Navy Yard at Pearl Harbor at the time, meant to illustrate just how Americanized the Chamorros inquired with the Bishop Museum about the return of had become. Other exhibits of the “one hundred percent objects to Guam from the Hornbostel Collection. Elliott Americanism” included the original Chamorro Bill of reminded Bradley that with little resources for acquisitions, Rights, which not only got Bradley in trouble by his the Guam Museum was “hard pressed to find anything of military superiors, but earned for the Legion, which value as an antique” especially after Hornbostel “scoured” supported the measure, some degree of suspicion from 38 the island.36 In numerous visits to the Bishop Museum subsequent Naval governors. Though the Navy decided during his six-month tour in Hawai‘i, Bradley pressed for in 1936 to not reassign Bradley to Guam, the Legion the repatriation of materials and remains, which resulted continued to use the Guam Museum as part of its support in the Bishop Museum returning hundreds of duplicate for progress and development in ways that made the specimens and artifacts to Guam, including, eventually, Guam Museum itself a showcase of Guam’s progress and two boxes of human remains. During his duty in Hawai‘i, development. Bradley also initiated a series of training sessions conducted by the Bishop Museum in Guam. At Bradley’s For example, the Legion reminded Governor Root’s urging and request, the Director of the Bishop Museum successor, George Alexander (1933-1936), that he should had agreed to send Bishop Museum Curator E. H. Bryan to continue the progressive work carried out by previous Guam to train the Guam Museum in museum technique, governors, to “improve the living conditions” of the display and preservation. Bryan also helped restructure , to bring a full measure of “prosperity for the Guam Museum, often along the lines of a natural all” in Guam, and to add to the contentment and happiness 39 history museum such as the Bishop Museum. This included of the entire island. In this, the Legion reminded collection and display of Guam’s flora and fauna. the Governor that the Guam Museum was a matter of priority. It is safe to conclude that in 1936, prosperity, contentment and happiness for the Guam Legionnaires Indeed, even after it became apparent that he would not be as for the overwhelming majority of Chamorro leaders returning to Guam for a second term as governor, Bradley and their American brothers-in-law, included hopes for continued to work closely and effectively, sometimes American citizenship. Indeed, it was in 1936 that such a bill under moments of tension, with Bishop Museum curator finally worked its way to the U.S. Congress, where it was E.H. Bryan for the repatriation. The issue of Chamorro subsequently killed after the testimony by the Navy’s top human remains is particularly noteworthy. After the return officer in Washington D.C.40 Interestingly, the forces that of duplicated objects, Bryan informed Bradley that the led to the crafting of the citizenship bill and its introduction Bishop Museum would not return anything else. In Guam can be traced directly back to powerful American political Elliott sought Bradley’s assistance for a final return—the and business leaders who began to travel to Asia aboard the human remains—on which Bryan eventually capitulated. Pan American Clippers. Whenever word spread that V.I.P.’s The question of Guam’s political growth was attached to were arriving on Guam, local leaders quickly organized the correspondence that Bryan attached to the shipment barbecues and beach outings in order to capture the ears in order to clear the air and iron out any tensions or and attention of the visitors around the issue of Guam’s misunderstandings that might have arisen over the process. political quest for citizenship.41 The Guam Museum’s After reminding Elliott that this would be the Bishop 5 UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4 (2010) Civilizing the Guam Museum UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4(2010) Number Studies, in Museum Papers Working UM their marines, American 8,000 some would relocating be that it in 2006 of Pentagon’s the announcement official light in even greater becomes challenge facility. This state-of-the-art planned for the $20 million raise can of how just it question the with beginning challenges, even more with Today, faced is Museum Guam the contributions. multicultural recent over more perspectives and histories Chamorro indigenous should privilege Museum the that insisted Commission Museum Guam 1990s the when the in occurred development for genocide.Another responsible it was even that 17th asserting the in mission Catholic century, of the nobility and legitimacy the question to began that 1980s the in Museum Guam by the sponsored exhibition 1980s involved the 1990s. One and atraveling between of examples occurred which two developments, and events of anumber in evidenced is This seen. be to remains project nationalist oranti-colonial project a nationalist project―whether it simply is anationalist become has Museum Guam Chamorro-led and of Guam- Government the of militarism, U.S. era anew and call colonialism Chamorros some what in and years post-war the in Indeed, Sanvitores. Padre movement canonize to Chamorro century 20th the in instrumental became Such novenas. accounts called devotions like rituals, church in contained those and legends in contained versions vernacular the from differed that past their of accounting official an with Chamorros provided first that Museum, Guam of Navy-run mission the of the part as and time of atthe major expression organ Navy’s the in serialized were they as translations, English However, late-1930 it Higgins’ is treasure. of anational something become has translations) of Italian a handful Sanvitores de Venerable the of Luis Diego Father Martyrdom and Garcia’s Father Francisco translated She also the museum’sas ofcurator. serve wife to officer, anaval the Higgins, Margaret recruited also Naval Government the Museum, Guam the revamp to effort pre-war this In for.” cared and preserved properly maybe Guam of Island the on civilization of earlier evidences material the that To Museum: Guam “insure for mission the a clear sets the Navy time, first for the And commissioners. deputy and commissioners village the office of the abolished Navy of some Bradley’srescinded policies. For the example, Navy the after, Shortly ofU.S. Guam. Naval Government the under and formally it firmly placed 1and Post Number Mid-Pacific Legion of American the auspices the under from D.C. Museum Washington Guam removed the of 1936, development, in terms the in reel also to if as And, of U.S. the Naval Government. not benevolentif tyranny arbitrary and whimsical the of against lobbying spaces important also were but they of militourism, process of insidious an part have may been outings island-wide (1683). (there were Garcia’s Spanish in account 43

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The Life The 42

in this paper on the prewar history of the Guam Museum, Museum, of Guam the history prewar the on paper this in show to Ihave As tried pasts. political and island’s cultural the in no doubt have interest some who will Americans of new group patriotic hyper characteristically and conservative, typically large, remarkably this of influx the with associated become will that challenges and stresses the exhibit and conceptualize might how planners the just point, atthis We imagine, only can accommodate. for, have plan to to even with, have contend to to planners Museum Guam for the audience” “target challenging and large and anew but also old legacy ongoing colonial and of an phase anew not just represent also will ashift such But, heritage. for Chamorro its especially and Guam, for challenges and stress political and economic, social, tremendous add surely island’s the will in demographics five years. than less 25%, in nearly 173,000 about 215,000, in to from 2008 in increase an island’s the population total skyrocketing thereby dollars, 15 some billion involve costing people, of 42,000 atotal to by 2013. estimated Guam to been has relocation The Okinawa from infrastructure support and dependents, the endeavor was anything but a “modest beginning.” but a“modest anything endeavor was the To however, Americanism.” sure, be percent “one hundred of island’s the newest forms the engage, display, indeed, exhibit, consider, conceptualize, will planners Museum its how just Guam, hit to oflargest) U.S. round militourism of 21st (and the evedecade of the on latest the century, of first end the atthe tell, States). too United early It too is the of Constitution the and flag (under the home-rule least orat not self-determination if of status political questions to always articulated civilization, and modernization on perspectives (and Naval) Chamorro and American both to linked always been has past cultural Chamorro native the 45 Such an explosion Such an 6 Civilizing the Guam Museum Notes tutions that inculcated “civilized” behavior, see especially Tony Bennett 1995. 1 As quoted in the Guam Museum website: http:// www.guammuseum.com/welcome-message.htm. 6 “The American Legion” in The Guam Recorder, For a history of Burnham’s role in the 1893 Chicago Volume VII, Number V, August 1930, 99. See also World’s Fair and “The White City” see Erik Larson. the American Legion’s official website: https:// 2004. The Devil in the White City: Murder, Magic, www.americanlegion.com/. The Legion was started and Madness at the Fair that Changed America. New in Guam under the leadership of Commander J. A. York: Vintage Books. McCormack and Chaplain Francis Albert both of whom had prior experience in Legion activities. 2 “Faninadahen Kosas Guahan – Guam Museum.” Commander McCormack was one of the organizers Multi-Year Report. January, 1999, 1. Prepared by An- of the American Legion who attended the caucuses tonio M. Palomo, Executive Director, with assistance in Paris and St. Louis in 1919 according to the article, by Priscilla C. Villagomez. “American Legion Mid Pacific Post No. 1 Hold First Public Function” (119) in The Guam Recorder, Volume 3 The archival research for this project originates from VII, Number VI, September 1930, 107, 118-9. On a current book project that examines the gendered seventeen charter members and membership total- dimensions of U.S. colonialism in Guam and the role ing 60 in August/September 1930, see the unpub- of American Navy wives in the “benevolent assimila- lished article “Guam American Legion Post Hold tion” of the Chamorros. Though Navy wives are not First Public Function” by Comrade J. S. Aflague, Post my main focus for this paper, many of them, like Historian and Member Publicity Committee. Folder: one Margaret Higgins, refashioned themselves in American Legion, Guam, 1930-1937, 1 of 2. Willis J. Guam as “new women” (women who transcended Bradley Papers. Richard Flores Taitano Micronesian traditional gender norms around private and public Area Research Center, . Mangilao, and Victorian notions of proper women’s behavior) Guam; “American Legion” in The Guam Recorder, through military projects like the Guam Museum. Volume XIII, Number IV, July 1936, 4; official website I argue that Navy wives rearticulated middle-class of the Mid-Pacific Post Number 1 at: http://www. notions of white womanhood in Guam through guam-online.com/americanlegion/membership.htm. what one Navy wife called the “small matters,” and that in these cultural, political, and social spheres, 7 The Chamorro Bill of Rights resembled the U.S. Con- Navy wives met Chamorro women who were equally stitution’s first Ten Amendments but was eventually determined to rearticulate traditional gender roles rendered null by the U.S. Navy. and social identities. One such woman was Agueda Johnston. Johnston was a prominent educator who 8 Program for Armistice Day Ceremonies, Mid-Pacific also became active in the effort to build a museum Post Number 1 American Legion, Guam, November for Guam. See Christine Taitano DeLisle. Navy Wives/ 1930 Folder: American Legion, Guam, 1930-1937, 1 Native Lives: The Cultural and Historical Relations be- of 2. Willis J. Bradley Papers; “Guam Observes 20th tween American Naval Wives and Chamorro Women Anniversary of the Armistice” in The Guam Recorder, in Guam, 1898-1945. 2008. PhD Dissertation. Univer- Volume XI, Number 9, December 1938, 14-5; 38-9; sity of Michigan, Ann Arbor. “American Legion Armistice Day Ceremonies” in The Guam Recorder, Volume XV, Number X, January 1939, 4 See Elaine Heumann Gurian. 2006. Civilizing the 13. Museum: The Collected Writings of Elaine Heumann Gurian. London and New York: Routledge. Gurian 9 On the Navy’s “civilizing” project in Guam in the urges museums to not simply abandon traditional areas of public education, public health, and public museum practices but to embrace new practices works, see the U.S. Navy Report on Guam, 1898- around issues such as civic responsibility and social 1950. Government, Department of services. Other works on the changing museology Defense, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. have informed this paper: Gail Anderson. Editor. Washington D.C.: U.S., 1950. 2004. Reinventing the Museum: Historical and Con- temporary Perspectives on the Paradigm Shift. Wal- 10 “American Legion Awards Prizes for School Endeav- nut Creek, : Altamira Press; Tony Bennett. or” in The Guam Recorder, Volume VII, Number XI, 1995. Birth of a Museum: History, Theory, Politics. February 1931, 225; “American Legion Cups” in The New York: Routledge; Stephen E. Weil. 2002. Making Guam Recorder, July 1934, 69. Museums Matter. Washington D.C.: Smithsonian. 11 “Guam to Have a Museum … Local Post, American 5 For a history of how museums emerged out of civil Legion, To Sponsor A Collection of Scientific Cu- societies but also became powerful cultural insti- riosities and Records of Historical Value” in The Guam Recorder, Volume VIII, Number VI, September 7 UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4 (2010) Civilizing the Guam Museum UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4(2010) Number Studies, in Museum Papers Working UM 20 19 18 17 16 15 14 13 12 Number VI, 361. VI, Number 1926)er, January in Record from (reprinted “Monuments” also Ibid. See Ibid. 355. Recorder Value” in Historical of and Records ties Curiosi Scientific of To ACollection Sponsor Legion, American Post, …Local aMuseum to Have “Guam RecorderGuam Shop” in Curio “Island Hornbostel’s for Ad also Recorder see Hornbostel, Gertrude by and operated Shop” owned Curiosity “The to the reference the For Guam. of Government the remains to ancestral Chamorro more several ated repatri Bishop the Museum 1990s, in the activists rights Chamorro of ancestor. request the At orro 1930s, including remains one Cham skeletal of the in the Guam Museum to the objects some returned and de-accessioned eventually Bishop Museum The . of rest and the Marianas in the holdings Germany’s Japan seized I brokeout, War World When to Germany. ana sold Islands were Mari Northern the War in 1898, Spanish American the Spain after acquired Guam from U.S. the When Ibid. 18-B. 1937, 6-A, February XI, Number ume XIII, in Away” Resident Passes 1926, 295; Prominent “Guam 22,January Number in “Monuments” 355. 1931, September VI, Number Volume VIII, Value” in Historical of Records and Curiosities Scientific of ACollection Sponsor To Legion, American Post, …Local aMuseum Have to in “Guam “a material” considerable of amount er, Guam Teacher’sthe Association, of mention specific no was there Although 1999, 4. Guahan“Faninadahen –Guam Museum” Kosas Papers. Bradley J. Willis 1933, February Bradley, to Willis Elliott Hiram from Letter GuamMuseum.”the of Custodians “Official reads: Legion’s letterhead the 1933, In Papers. Bradley J. Willis and Programs, Invitations in Folder: program minstrel of Copy Papers; Bradley J. 29, Willis 1931, September of in show W. letter W.minstrel Rowley’s Legion to an American reference also See 398. Recorder, in Minstrel” Legion 355;1931, “American noted the effort by Guam’s schools in collecting Guam’s by in collecting schools effort the noted , Volume VIII, Number VI, September 1931, 1931, September VI, Number , Volume VIII, 1928, 2. See April I, Number , Volume 5, Volume VIII, Number VIII, November 1931, 1931, November VIII, Number Volume VIII, , Volume 5, Number I, April 1928, 15. April I, Number , Volume 5, The Guam Recorder, Guam The The Guam Recorder, Guam The The Guam Recorder Guam The The Guam Recorder Guam The The Guam Record Guam The Volume 2, The Guam Guam The Volume VIII, Volume VIII, The Guam Guam The The Guam Guam The , Vol The The - - - , - - - - 25 24 23 22 21 32 31 30 29 28 27 26 sets of ancient Chamorro remains collected in the in the remains collected ancient of Chamorro sets 75 approximately year, repatriated Bishop the also same remains to Guam.That ancientated Chamorro repatri again Bishop the Museum activists, rights ro Chamor of protests to the in response Ibid. 2000, In 7, Number 179. 1935, XII, October in Plans” Administration Naval under present seen improvement Greater … Anniversary Third Observes Museum “Guam 1926, 295. “Monuments” 45. in Identity” and National Museums “Caribbean 2004 (Autumn). Reader Museumsin Heritage, and Galleries: Introductory An Editor. Corsane. 2005. 1994; Gerard Bennett Press. Yale University 1998. Deloria. Philip J. Airways China Clipper flights. See a three-part series series three-part a See China flights. Clipper Airways American Pan new the onboard numbers in large to Guam arrived who Guam’s to visitors culture” to “showcase wanted Tony Legion the said Ramirez Curator Museum present Legion, American under the Guam Museum the of history the about asked When 249-64. and Littlefield, Rowman Colorado: Editors. Wilson, rising PacificLiterature in Body” nism ‘Polynesian’ and the Noa Teresia Teaiwa. 1999. “ReadingGauguin’s K. (1/2),Volume Numbers 30, 2009. DeLisle 20-32; Special Issue of Editors. Kauanui, Sails Vaka of in History” tive Na of Delivery and the Midwives Down): Chamorro It (Writing Påpa’ “Tumuge’ T. 2008. DeLisle. Christine Ibid. Papers. Bradley J. Willis 19, November 1934. to Bradley, Rowley from Letter 250. 1935, December 9, Number XII, in Guam Museum” “The 7, Number 179. 1935, XII, October in Plans” Administration Naval under present seen improvement Greater . Anniversary Third Observes Museum “Guam in Hawaiians’ Remains Coming Home” “Native tensen, Chris Jean by article the See (C.N.M.I.). Marianas Northern the of Commonwealth to 1900s the early Los Angeles Times Angeles Los with Hau’ofa’s with . New York: Routledge; Alissandra Cummins. Alissandra Routledge; York: . New History Workshop Journal Workshop History . Caroline Sinavaiana Kehaulani and. Caroline J. Women Writing Oceania: Weaving the Nederends . April 16, 2000, 1. 16,2000, . April Playing Indian . Vilsoni Hereniko and Hereniko Rob . Vilsoni The Guam Recorder Guam The The Guam RecorderGuam The The Guam RecorderGuam The : ‘Militourism,’ Femi Pacific Studies Inside Theo Out: . New Haven: . New . Issue 58, 224- . Issue 58, , Volume , Volume , Volume Noa Noa Issues . - - 8 - - - - entitled “The Guam Museum” by Sonya Artero on Chamorro political and cultural stakes, see Vicente Civilizing the Guam Museum KUAM News, which ran 1-3 February 2008. M. Diaz. Forthcoming. Repositioning the Missionary: Rewriting the Histories of Colonialism, Native Catholi- 33 In 1919, Governor passed the Navy’s cism, and Idigeneity in Guam. Pacific Islands Mono- first anti-miscegenation law prohibiting whites graph Series. Honolulu: University of Hawai‘i Press. defined as those not having Chamorro, Filipino, or Negro blood from marrying Chamorros or Filipinos. 44 “Report of the Museum Commission.” December 2, Executive General Order No. 326, September 29, 1991. 1919. “Executive General Order & Notices” in Guam News Letter, Volume XI, Number 4, 10. Folder: 1919- 45 Steve Limtiaco. “Marines are coming, but movement 1937. Note: Within the letter submitted to former not expected to start for at least 6 years.” Pacific Navy Governor Edward Dorn there is a reference to Daily News. 2006 Year in Review at: http://www. the letter coming from those ‘who are known as the guampdn.com/guampublishing/specialsections/ “Shoe Gang.’” Edward J. Dorn Papers. Manuscripts top10_2006/03marines.html; Gaynor Dumat-ol Dale- Division, Library of Congress. Washington D.C. no. “20 years of growth in 5: Guam Population Will Add 42,000 by 2013.” Pacific Daily News, September 34 Legion Commander Elliott inquired if Bradley was 14, 2008 at: http://www.guampdn.com/apps/pbcs. interested in returning to Guam. Letter from Elliott to dll/article?AID=/20080914/NEWS01/809140308. Bradley, December 6, 1932. In his response, Bradley expressed a strong desire to return to Guam. Letter from Bradley to Elliott, January 13, 1933. Willis J. Bibliography Bradley Papers.

35 On the Legion’s petition to the Navy to reappoint Archival Collections Bradley see Letter from Elliott to Chief of Naval Willis J. Bradley Papers. Richard Flores Taitano Operations, January 13, 1933; Letter from Elliott to Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam. Bradley, April 17, 1933. Willis J. Bradley Papers. Mangilao, Guam. 36 Letter from Elliott to Bradley, November 24, 1933. Edward J. Dorn Papers. Manuscripts Division, Library of Willis J. Bradley Papers. Congress. Washington D.C. 37 Letter from Bryan to Elliott, January 30, 1934. Willis J. Margaret M. Higgins Papers. Richard Flores Taitano Bradley Papers. Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam. 38 Letter from Bradley to Elliott, January 29, 1934. Willis Mangilao, Guam. J. Bradley Papers. Bradley talked repeatedly with El- Agueda I. Johnston Papers. Richard Flores Taitano liott about the repercussions of his actions in Guam. Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam. 39 The Guam Recorder, Volume XI, Number 8, November Mangilao, Guam. 1934. John L. McCrea Papers. Manuscripts Division, Library of 40 “Citizenship for Residents of Guam: Hearings Before Congress. Washington D.C. the Committee on Territories Guam Museum Papers. Richard Flores Taitano and Insular Affairs, Seventy-Fifth Congress, First Micronesian Area Research Center, University of Guam. Session.” April 9, 10, 16; June 9, 1937. United States Mangilao, Guam. Congress. Primary Sources 41 Penelope Bordallo-Hofschneider. 2001. A Campaign for Political Rights in Guam, 1899-1950. Saipan: “American Legion” in The Guam Recorder, Volume XIII, NMI Division of Historic Preservation; Hale’-ta: I Ma Number IV, July 1936, 4. Gubetna-ña Guam, Governing Guam: Before and After the Wars. 1994. Agana, Guam: Political Status “American Legion Armistice Day Ceremonies” in The Education Coordinating Commission. Guam Recorder, Volume XV, Number X, January 1939, 13.

42 Guam Museum Papers. Guam Museum Notes. Sep- “American Legion Awards Prizes for School Endeavor” tember 1937, 31. Richard Flores Taitano Micronesian in The Guam Recorder, Volume VII, Number XI, February Area Research Center, University of Guam. Mangilao, 1931, 225. Guam. “American Legion Cups” in The Guam Recorder, July 43 For a history of the effort to canonize Sanvitores and 1934, 69. 9 UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4 (2010) Civilizing the Guam Museum UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4(2010) Number Studies, in Museum Papers Working UM Editor. 2005. Gerard. Corsane, Politics Tony. 1995. Bennett, Paradigm Shift the on Historical and Perspectives Contemporary Editor. Gail. 2004. Anderson, Sources Secondary 1934. Recorder Guam The 250. 1935, December 9, Number in Guam Museum” “The 1928, 2. April I, Number Shop” in Curiosity “The 1930, V,99. Number VII, August in Legion” American “The Recorder Guam The from (Reprinted “Monuments” 1926,22, January, 295-6. in “Monuments” Recorder in Shop” (Advertisement) Curio “Island 355. 1931, September VI, Number Volume VIII, Value” in Historical of and Records Curiosities Scientific of To ACollection Sponsor Legion, American Post, …Local aMuseum to Have “Guam 18-B. Recorder in Away” Resident Passes Prominent “Guam 38-9. 1938, 14-5; Recorder Guam The in Armistice” the of Anniversary 20th Observes “Guam 179. 1935, October in Plans” Administration Naval under present seen improvement …Greater Anniversary Third Observes Museum “Guam Letter in &Notices” Order General “Executive 29, 1919. 326,September No. Order General Executive 398. 1931, November VIII, Number Volume VIII, in Minstrel” Legion “American 1930, 107,September 118-9. in Function” Public First Hold No. 1 Post Pacific Mid Legion “American , Volume XI, Number 4, 10. 4, Number , Volume XI, . New York: Routledge. York: . New , Volume 5, Number I, April 1928, 15. April I, Number , Volume 5, 1937, 6-A, February XI, Number , Volume XIII, The Guam Recorder Guam The The Guam Recorder Guam The . Walnut Creek, California: Altamira Press. Altamira California: . Walnut Creek, The Guam Recorder Guam The , Volume VIII, Number VI, 361. VI, Number , Volume VIII, December 9, Number , Volume XI, , Volume XI, Number 8, November November 8, Number , Volume XI, Birth of a Museum: History, Theory, aMuseum: of Theory, History, Birth The Guam Recorder Guam The The Guam Recorder Guam The The Guam Recorder Guam The , Volume XII, Number 7, Number , Volume XII, Reinventing the Museum: The Guam Recorder Guam The Issues in Heritage, Recorder , Volume VII, Number VI, VI, Number , Volume VII, The Guam Recorder Guam The , Volume Number 2, Guam News News Guam , January 1926), January in The Guam Guam The , Volume 5, , Volume 5, , Volume XII, , Volume XII, The Guam Guam The , Volume , , of Naval Operations. Washington, D.C.: U.S., 1950. D.C.: U.S., Washington, Operations. Naval of Chiefthe of Office Defense, of Department Government, Guam on Report Navy U.S. Commission.” Museum the of 1991. 2, December “Report Villagomez. C. Priscilla by assistance with Director, Executive Palomo, M. Antonio by Prepared 1999, 1. January, Year Report. Guahan“Faninadahen –Guam Museum.” Kosas Multi- Reports Government D.C.: Smithsonian. Washington, 2002. StephenWeil, E. 249-64. and Littlefield, Rowman Colorado: Literature in Body” ‘Polynesian’ the Hau’ofa’swith Teaiwa, Teresia1999. “ReadingGauguin’s K. Books. Vintage York: New Changed and atthe Fairthat Madness America Magic, 2004. Erik. Larson, Routledge. York: and New Collected WritingsThe Elaine of Heumann Gurian Elaine Heumann. 2006. Gurian, Press. University Press. University 1998. Philip J. Deloria, 32. Issue of Sinavaiana Special Kehaulani and J. Editors. Kauanui, Writing Oceania: Weaving the SailsVaka of in History” Native of Delivery and the Midwives Down): Chamorro It 2007. (Writing Påpa’ “Tumuge’ ___. Arbor. Ann 1898-1945 and Women in Chamorro Guam, Wives American Naval Cultural and Historical The Lives: between Relations Taitano. 2008. Christine DeLisle, Journal in andIdentity” National Museums “Caribbean 2004 (Autumn). Cummins, Alissandra. Routledge. York: Reader Museums and Galleries: Introductory An Monograph Series. Honolulu: University of Hawai of University Honolulu: Series. Monograph Catholicism, in Guam and Indigeneity the Histories Colonialism, of Rewriting Native Missionary: Forthcoming. M. Vicente Diaz, . Issue 58, 224-45. . Issue 58, Pacific Studies . Vilsoni Hereniko and Rob Wilson, Editors. Editors. and Hereniko RobWilson, . Vilsoni . PhD Dissertation. University of Michigan, Michigan, of University Dissertation. . PhD Nederends The Devil in the White City: Murder, in Devil the White City: The Playing Indian . Volume 30, Numbers (1/2),. Volume Numbers 30, 20- Making Museums Matter Making : ‘Militourism,’ and Inside Theorising Pacific Out: , 1898-1950. United States States United , 1898-1950. Repositioning the Civilizing the Museum: Navy Wives/Native Navy History Workshop Workshop History . New Haven: Yale. New . Pacific Islands . Pacific . Caroline . Caroline Noa Noa Noa . New . New Women . . London . London ‘ i

. 10 Civilizing the Guam Museum Television and Newspaper Reports

Christensen, Jean. “’ Remains Coming Home.” Los Angeles Times. April 16, 2000, 1.

Artero, Sonya. “The Guam Museum” (Parts 1, 2, 3). KUAM News, 1-3 February 2008.

Websites https://www.americanlegion.com http://www.guammuseum.com http://www.guam-online.com/americanlegion http://www.guampdn.com

11 UM Working Papers in Museum Studies, Number 4 (2010)