Bailey House Museum facts for kids
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Old Bailey House
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 Location in Maui
Location in Hawaii
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| Location | 2375 Main Street, Wailuku, Hawaii |
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| Area | 1 acre (0.40 ha) |
| Built | 1833 |
| NRHP reference No. | 73000678 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | March 20, 1973 |
Hale Hōʻikeʻike at the Bailey House is a museum in Wailuku, Hawaii. It is located on the island of Maui in Hawaiʻi. The museum shows the history and art of Hawaiʻi. The Maui Historical Society owns and runs the museum. The building itself, often called the Old Bailey House, is a historic place. It is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
The Bailey House: A Look at Its History
The stone house was built in 1833. It stands at the entrance of the ʻĪao Valley. This area was once the royal home of Kahekili II. He was the last ruling chief of Maui. The Old Bailey House was one of the first western-style buildings in Wailuku.
From Seminary to Family Home
The house first served as a Christian mission. It was for both adults and children. In 1837, it became the Wailuku Female Seminary. This was a boarding school for girls. Students learned about Christianity and school subjects. They also learned important home skills like sewing.
Theodosia and Rev. Jonathan Smith Green first managed the school. Later, in 1844, Caroline and Edward Bailey took over. They had just arrived in Hawaiʻi.
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions stopped funding the school in 1847. The school continued for a few more years. It educated boys and girls who paid tuition. The house and land then went back to the Hawaiian crown. However, the Baileys bought them in 1850.
Later, the house and the Baileys' sugarcane fields became part of a large sugarcane plantation. This plantation was then bought by C. Brewer & Co..
The Bailey House Becomes a Museum
The Maui Historical Society was started in 1951. They opened Hale Hoʻikeʻike, which means "House of Display" in Hawaiian. The museum officially opened on July 6, 1957.
In 1991, Masaru "Pundy" Yokouchi bought the Bailey House. He then gave it as a gift to the Maui Historical Society. This helped ensure the museum would continue to share Hawaiian history.
Exploring the Museum's Exhibits
Hale Hoʻikeʻike is a history museum. It has many different exhibits. You can find them on both floors of the old house and outside on the grounds.
First Floor Discoveries
- Ancient Hawaiian Tools: See tools, utensils, and weapons from Hawaiʻi before Europeans arrived.
- Edward Bailey's Paintings: Look at over one hundred oil paintings by Edward Bailey. He was a "Sunday painter" who captured Maui's landscapes in the 1800s.
- Kamapua'a Statue: Discover a wooden statue of Kamapua'a. He is a Hawaiian demi-god. This statue was made before the old Hawaiian religion was changed. It was hidden in a cave for over 100 years. It is the only wooden statue on Maui that survived the changes in 1819.
- Land Snail Shells: See part of the Land Snails Shell Collection. Many native Hawaiian snail species have disappeared. This happened after new types of snails were brought to the islands.
- Hokulea Model: View a model of the Hokulea. This is a modern copy of an ancient Polynesian sailing canoe.
Second Floor Highlights
The second floor has two special rooms:
- Monarchy Room: Learn about the Kingdom of Hawaii. See artifacts from the time when Hawaii had kings and queens.
- Koa Room: This room shows furniture made entirely from Koa wood. This includes a large four-poster bed.
The museum also has many historical papers. These are available for researchers to study.
Outdoor Displays and Gardens
- Duke Kahanamoku's Surfboard: A small outdoor shelter displays Duke Kahanamoku's redwood surfboard from 1919.
- Honaunau Canoe: Also outside is the Honaunau. This is a 33-foot outrigger canoe from the 1900s. It was used for fishing. It was carved from a single koa log. It is one of the last koa fishing canoes made in Hawaiʻi.
The museum gardens feature native Hawaiian plants. Some of these are endangered species found only on Maui and the Hawaiian Islands. There is also a gift shop. It sells items made by local artists. The museum is open Monday through Saturday, from 10 AM to 4 PM.
See also
- History of Maui
- List of single-artist museums
