Anna Ranch Heritage Center facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Anna Ranch
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Lua error in Module:Location_map at line 420: attempt to index field 'wikibase' (a nil value).
Location	65-1480 Kawaihae Road, Waimea, Hawaii County, Hawaii
Area	3.5 acres (1.4 ha)
Built	1910–1930
NRHP reference No.	06001120
Added to NRHP	April 28, 2008

The Anna Ranch Heritage Center, often called Anna Ranch, is a historic place in Waimea, Hawaii. It was once a busy cattle ranch. Today, it is a museum where visitors can learn about its past. The ranch is named after an amazing woman, Anna Leialoha Lindsey Perry-Fiske (1900–1995).

The Story of Anna Ranch

How the Ranch Began

The story of Anna Ranch started a long time ago, in the early 1800s. An Englishman named James Fay came to Hawaii. Around 1828, he married a native Hawaiian woman named Kaʻipukaikapuokamehameha Kahahana. Their daughter, Mary Kaʻala Fay, was born in 1830.

Mary later married George Kynaston Lindsey. In 1858, George bought the land that would become Anna Ranch. Their oldest son, Thomas Weston Lindsey, continued the family's connection to the land.

Anna Lindsey's Journey

Anna Leialoha Lindsey was born into this ranching family. She was the only daughter of William Miller Seymour Lindsey and Mary Leialoha Rose. Anna first lived in Hilo, Hawaii. However, in 1939, she returned to the ranch. She took over managing the ranch when it was facing many challenges.

Anna worked incredibly hard to keep the ranch going. She did much of the work herself. In 1943, Anna married James Lyman Perry-Fiske. She continued to manage the ranch until she passed away in 1995. This was quite unusual for women at that time.

Anna's Achievements and Legacy

Anna Lindsey was recognized for her dedication and hard work. In 1968, she was named "Career Woman of the Year" in Hawaii. She also gave a lot to charity. In 1983, she was the biggest individual helper for the Hawaii American Heart Association. In 2009, she was honored by being added to the Paniolo Hall of Fame. Paniolo are Hawaiian cowboys, and this was a great honor.

Anna Ranch as a Museum

The main buildings at Anna Ranch were built between 1910 and 1930. These include the ranch house, a slaughterhouse, a barn, and a garage. These buildings have been carefully saved. They are now part of a historic house museum.

The ranch house was restored to look like it did in 1939. It opened for tours in September 2007. This allows visitors to step back in time. They can see what ranch life was like long ago. Anna Ranch was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places listings on the island of Hawaii on April 28, 2008. It is a special place that helps us remember Hawaii's rich history.