Free Visit To Bishop Museum This Saturday In Honor Of Its Princess
Honolulu – Bishop Museum is offering FREE admission on Saturday, December 19th in celebration of the birthday anniversary of Bernice Pauahi Bishop. The great-granddaughter of King Kamehameha I, Pauahi was born on December 19, 1831 and passed away in 1884 after a bout with cancer.
Bernice Pauahi Pāki married businessman and philanthropist Charles Reed Bishop in 1850. The couple loved each other deeply, but never had children. Following her passing, Mr. Bishop founded the Museum in her honor.
Today, the restored Hawaiian Hall is symbolic of Mr. Bishop’s love for his beloved Pauahi and his love for the Hawaiian people. Hawaiian Hall features access to the Museum’s incomparable collection of Hawaiian and Pacific area artifacts, the largest in the world.
Bishop Museum is currently hosting the national tour of Dinosaurs Unearthed, which features fossils, an excavation pit, and robotic dinosaurs – including a 27-foot Tyrannosaurus Rex. Dinosaurs Unearthed is showing till January 4, 2010 in the Castle Memorial Building.
Also on exhibit is Ka Lei Pāpale, now till April 11, 2010 in the Castle Memorial Building, 2nd floor. This exhibit features Bishop Museum’s 19th and 20th century hat collection alongside contemporary hats crafted by artists of today. This unique exhibit is a treat for anyone with an interest in Hawai‘i’s fashion heritage.
Ho‘olaulole: The Joy of Wearable Art is another must see exhibit that features fashion pieces created by Native Hawaiian visual art students and some of the most cutting-edge artists of today. Located in the Joseph M. Long Gallery, this exhibition features full body adornment, from clothing to jewelry.
The Museum’s mission is to study, preserve, and tell the stories of the natural and cultural history of Hawai‘i and the Pacific. It is designated by law as the State Museum of Natural and Cultural History. With over 24 million catalogued objects, Bishop Museum’s collection ranks fourth in the United States and is among the top ten in the world.
Bishop Museum hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.; it is closed on Christmas Day and every Tuesday. To learn more about Bishop Museum’s exhibits, programs, and activities, please visit www.bishopmuseum.org or call (808) 847-3511.
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