Historic Buildings
Chamberlain House (Ka Hale Kamalani) (1831)
This house bears the name of the Mission’s first secular agent in Hawai‘i – Levi Chamberlain. In 1831, Chamberlain contracted for the building of this structure, which was to be used as a depository. The building was made of coral blocks cut away from the ocean reef, which were dried and bleached by the sun. These blocks were arranged and assembled to build the Chamberlain House. From this location, Levi Chamberlain was able to plan out and undertake the disbursement of provisions for the entire Sandwich Islands Mission. It now serves as the Museum’s temporary Exhibition Gallery.
Frame House (Ka Hale La‘au) (1821)
The oldest wood frame structure still standing in the Hawaiian Islands, it was shipped around Cape Horn from Boston in 1820. It was used as a communal home by many missionary families who shared it with island visitors and boarders.
Printing Office (Ka Hale Pa‘i) (1841)
Also built from coral blocks, this structure was completed in 1841 and contains a replica of the first printing press to be brought to Hawaii. Here, some of the first books and printed materials in Hawaii were produced. The restored printing office shows how early Protestant Missionaries and native Hawaiians collaborated on the production of numerous books and other printed materials first printed in the Hawaiian language.
Interactive Image
Hawaiian Mission Houses collects, preserves, interprets and exhibits documents, artifacts and other records of Hawai`i’s missionary period (1820 – 1863) and beyond. The Museum makes these collections available for research, educational purposes and enjoyment.
The Museum strives to promote cross-cultural understanding of Hawai`i’s history, both past and present; therefore, it places great emphasis on incorporating contemporary elements into nearly all of its exhibitions, adult and school programs, workshops and special events.