Adrienne L. Kaeppler facts for kids

Adrienne Lois Kaeppler (July 26, 1935 – March 5, 2022) was an American scientist who studied people and cultures. She was an expert on the cultures of the Pacific Ocean, especially Tonga and Hawaii. She worked at the National Museum of Natural History at the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, DC. Adrienne Kaeppler was known for her deep knowledge of Tongan dance and the famous voyages of Captain James Cook. She also led the International Council on Traditional Music from 2005 to 2013.

Studying Cultures and Arts

Adrienne Kaeppler's work focused on how different parts of a culture connect. She looked at how social structures, like how people organize themselves, relate to art forms. This included dance, music, and visual arts. She was especially interested in the cultures of Tonga and Hawaii.

Her research explored the objects people made and used, as well as their dances and performances. She studied these arts within their cultural settings. This included looking at traditional ways of life and how modern cultural identity is formed.

Education and Teaching

Kaeppler went to the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee. She earned her Masters and PhD degrees from the University of Hawaii. In the 1970s, she worked as a cultural scientist at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, Hawaii.

She taught many subjects at different universities. These included the study of human societies, the study of music from different cultures, the study of dance, and art history. She taught at places like the University of Hawaii and Johns Hopkins University. She was also part of the State Council on Hawaiian Heritage.

Work in Tonga

In 1998, Adrienne Kaeppler worked in Tonga. She helped set up a special exhibition at the Tongan National Museum. This exhibition celebrated the 80th birthday of King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV.

Leading International Music Studies

In 2004, she became the vice-president of the International Council for Traditional Music. The next year, in 2005, she was chosen as the president. She held this important role until 2013. Later, she became a curator and cultural scientist at the National Museum of Natural History of the Smithsonian Institution.

Awards and Recognition

Adrienne Kaeppler received several honors for her important work.

YWCA Award

In 1978, the YWCA honored Kaeppler. They recognized her as a leading female scientist. Her work helped people better understand native cultures around the world.

Book Prize

Kaeppler was also praised for her book, James Cook and the Exploration of the Pacific, published in 2009. This book won the First International Tribal Art Book Prize in 2010. This award was given by Tribal Art magazine with Sotheby's Paris. In April 2010, the book was also named "Book of the Month" by Hodern House in Australia.

Smithsonian Lecture Award

In 2010, Kaeppler gave a special lecture called the Smithsonian Secretary's Distinguished Research Lecture Award. This award celebrates a scholar's long-term achievements in research. It also recognizes their dedication to the Smithsonian and their excellent contributions to their field. The award also highlights their ability to explain their research to people who are not experts.

Personal Life

Adrienne Kaeppler passed away on March 5, 2022. She was 86 years old.