In the 18th century, two Quaker families came to Guana as part of what was
called "the Quaker Experiment" which lasted for about forty-five
years in the BVI. They used African slaves and cultivated sugar cane. When they
were recalled to the United States and England, they left behind two cannons
still on Guana today. Archaeologists have extensively studied the Quaker ruins
and have also unearthed older artifacts that give insight into Guana's earlier
Amerindian history.
Beth and Louis Bigelow of Massachusetts purchased Guana in 1934. With the
help of local men they built six stone cottages and developed a
