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War in the Pacific Visitor Center
A Long Time Coming
Article by Lacee A.C. Martinez
Pacific Daily News
Just in time to help celebrate 63 years of Guam's liberation from Japanese
occupiers, the T. Stell Newman Visitor Center, part of the War
in the Pacific National Parks, reopened its doors July 1, 2007
after spending nearly five years out of commission.
"It has been a long time coming," said parks Superintendent Sarah
Creachbaum. "We're so excited to be able to open up for business with
the new center and share the park's mission."
That mission is: to commemorate the bravery and sacrifice of those
who participated in the Pacific Theater during World War II. It's the only
national park designated to commemorate all of the Allied Forces involved
during World War II, she added.
The center was originally located in Asan against the same beach
line where American servicemen landed to recapture Guam six decades ago,
but was ravaged during Supertyphoon Pongsona in 2002.
The building took a beating from damaging winds and waves, which
swept through center because of its near-sea level location. The parks could
no longer lease the same location because it was deemed unsafe for government
agencies, Creachbaum said.
Now located in the old U.S. Army Reserve office in Santa Rita,
there's more than 4,000 square feet of space to house over 11,000 artifacts
from a broad spectrum of World War II. The items have been kept in storage
away from the public and researchers while the park searched for a permanent
home for the center, Creachbaum said.
The collection includes photographs, films and oral histories of
people who were involved during the occupation and liberation. There are
also military personnel using different types of uniforms from the era and
as well as artifacts from the insular guard who were originally on the island
to protect the island, during the invasion, she said.
There will also be a designated space where items are stored and
protected and where researchers and the public, after making an appointment
with museum curators, will be able to view certain parts of it, she said.
While the planning of permanent exhibits continues, temporary exhibits,
designed and produced by the National Park Service and AMMA, will
enlighten visitors to the center.
Bonus features include a bookstore and an auditorium
where films will be shown each day.
AT A GLANCE
•The T. Stell Newman Visitor Center will be open from 9 a.m. to 4:30
p.m. Sunday through Saturday (closed during lunch from noon to
1 p.m. on weekends only).
The center is located southbound on Marine Corps Drive before Naval
Base Guam in Agat in the old U.S. Army Reserve building.
•For more information, visit www.nps.gov/wapa. w
