Mission Houses Museum

Relics of the Missionary Past

Description

For a look into Hawaii's interesting past, this museum focuses on the missionary period in Hawaii from 1820-1863. During this time, many American Protestant missionaries came to Hawaii to work and live and spread their beliefs throughout the islands. The Mission Houses Museum is a National Historic Landmark part of the Hawaiian Mission Children's Society, which established the museum in 1923 where the headquarters of the Sandwich Islands Mission once existed. The museum has since received accreditation from the American Association of Museums and is a full-fledged cultural museum highlighting the American Protestant missionary experience in the Hawaiian islands. The museum is comprised of three different historic missionary houses along with a cultural center and a library for those interested in doing research. You can get a feel for life in Hawaii as a missionary by walking through these historic buildings, which served as homes to the missionaries. The museum, which is home to an extensive collection of historic artifacts, hosts exhibitions, gallery talks, guided tours, and a number of events for the community in an effort to preserve the history of the missionaries.