Hawaiian Historical Society facts for kids
The Hawaiian Historical Society was started in 1892 by a group of people who wanted to save and share Hawaii's history. It's a non-profit group, meaning it doesn't make money for private owners. The Society works to keep old historical items safe, give public talks, and publish research about Hawaii's past.
The first president of the Society was Charles Reed Bishop. He also started the Kamehameha Schools to honor his wife, Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop. Another important leader, Governor Sanford B. Dole, also served as president. Early members included well-known historians like Nathaniel Bright Emerson and Ralph Simpson Kuykendall.
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A Royal Patron
In one of the Society's very first meetings, on February 24, 1892, a special vote took place. Queen Lili‘uokalani, the last monarch of the Hawaiian Kingdom, was chosen as the Patron of the Society. This showed her support for preserving Hawaii's rich history.
Sharing History with the World
The Hawaiian Historical Society publishes many books. They also create a special history magazine called the Hawaiian Journal of History. This magazine comes out every year and is the longest-running publication focused on Hawaii's history. It covers events from before and after Europeans arrived in Hawaii.
The Society's Library
The Society has a library filled with amazing historical items. It is located at the Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives. In the library, you can find old photos, newspapers, magazines, and books. There are also special handwritten documents called manuscripts. All these materials are available for people to study and learn from.
For example, in 1974, the Hawaiian Journal of History published a look back at the 1874 election of King Kalākaua. It even included letters from people who saw the events happen.
Public Talks and Events
The Hawaiian Historical Society is a leading group for studying Hawaii's past. They often give free public talks about different parts of Hawaiian history. These talks happen regularly, helping everyone learn more about the islands.
Speakers and authors from the Society are often featured in the news. You might also find them sharing interesting facts on social media sites like Facebook and Tumblr.
