The Daily bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Hawaii]) 1882-1895, 1892-04-05
THE BISHOP MUSEUM.
A Notable Addition to the Institu-
tIons of Honolulu

ti0ns of Honolulu.
In this issue is given an ilustra-
ton of the BERNICE PAUAm BISHOP
MUSEUM, specially engraved for the
BULLETIN from photograph by
Williams. The building is one of
the most solid pieces of architecture
in Honolulu, as well as one of the
handsomest. Built of hard gray
lava stone, quarried right on the
site, it is situated on the spacious
grounds of the Kamehameha Schools,
commanding q splendid view Of Ho-
nolulu, the harbor, and the ocean.
These schools were founded by the
will of the princess whose name the
museum bears, for providing intel
lectual education and manual train
ing at the minimum of expense for
native Hawaiian boys. Hon. Charles
r. Bishop erected the museum in
honor of the memory of his wife,
Princess Bernice Pauahi Bishop, as
a repository for Hawaiian relics,
which were fast disappearing, as well
as for Polynesian and Australasian
curiosities.
The contents of the Government
Museum formerly in Alnolani Hale
have all been stored in the Bishop
Museum. These added to the late
Mrs. Bishops collection, relics be-
longing 10 the late Queen Emma,
Princess Ruth, and other departed
royalties, also contributions from
many citizens, form large and rich
exhibit. The display of kahilis is
very grand, some being of priceless
value. There are gorgeous feather
cloaks of Hawaiian monarchs, some
of them returned by the British Mu-
scum. A feather helmet is shown,
which was taken out of this country
by Vancouver over 100 years ago.
The showing OF war canoes, carvings
from temples, etc., from New Zea-
land is very interesting. 1t is need
less to particularize everything, how
ever, as on open days anybody can
visit the museum at an expense of
few cents for car fare.
The architecture of the museum
is of a composite order with Queen
Anne features. Two grand arches
10 feet + inches in height, with col
umns of imported freestone, admit
the visitor to an open vestibule, be-
yond which is the main entrance to
the interior by double doors of wal
nut. Entering, the visitor is in a
hall 20 feet square, from the center
of which spring platform stairs of
native koa wood, leading two ways
from "a landing halfway up into an
upper hall in the tower.
Turning to the right on entering
you are in the general curio room,
which is 30 feet by 30 feet and fin
ished in redwood. To the left is the
kahili room, % feet by SO feet, fin
ished in Port Oxford cedar. The
floors are laid in checkered designs
of colored tiles. There is nothing
in the tower to obstruct the upward
view excepting the upper hall, the
lofty open roof ceiling in the apex
giving therefore dignified effect.
The height is 60 feet from the ground,
and 40 feet from the second floor.
The latter is an open hall, along the
walls of which kahilis and other arti-
Giles are effectively displayed. The
art gallery opens by glass doors
from this hall, and constitutes the
second story of the left wing, the
right wing containing the kahili room
being only one story. 1t is 30 feet
by 80 feet, finished in redwood, and
is devoted exclusively to pictures and
sculpture.
Mr.. VIM. f. Smith, San Fran
cisco, was architect of the Bishop
Museum. 1t was built by day labor,
Mr. Robert Lishman experimenting
the stone, and Mr. VIM. Mulch the
wood work. Both classes of work
are of the best. The finishing and
polishing of the interior are of the
highest order, an expert French
polisher having been employed to do
the latter. In keeping with the
elegance of the structure are the fit
tings, the woodwork Of the enormous
glass cases being perfect in construc-
ton and finish. The inscription on
the pediment is; 1889. Bernice
Pauahi Bishop Museum" --the name
of the patronymic being in the form
of semi circle.
Professor w. L. Brigham, formerly
of Harvard University, is Curator of
the Museum, He is well posted on
the contents and cheerfully commu-
NEGATIVE of his knowledge TO visitors.
The art gallery is not yet open. For
the present the museum is open to
the public every Thursday morning,
Llno mi EIIME