Rare Photos of Hawai`i on Display Now Through October 31, 2009 at the Lyman Museum

by Christine
(Hilo, HI)

Horses graze along the road to Volcano in this photo taken by Brother Bertram Gabriel Bellinghausen

A collection of rarely seen photos of Hawai`i Island taken from 1883 to 1905 is making its Big Island public debut at the Lyman Museum. "Na Pa`i Ki`i `o Brother Bertram" is on display now through October 2009. These photos document a time when the Kingdom of Hawai`i was on the threshold of annexation.

Salvaged from trash cans in 1964 and then stashed in archives across the country, the photos are the work of German-born Brother Bertram Gabriel Bellinghausen, S.M. (Society of Mary), who served as the first Marianist principal of St. Louis College (now St. Louis School in Honolulu) from 1883 to 1905. When he was not managing students and faculty, Br. Bertram was a prolific photographer whose legacy includes over 800 glass plate images of people, places, and events on O`ahu, Kaua`i, Maui, Moloka`i and Hawai`i Island. His photos reveal a particular interest in the landscapes and maka`ainana (common people) of turn-of-the-century Hawai`i. The Lyman Museum gallery features a variety of his Hawai`i Island photos.

In 1883 Br. Bertram led the first band of Marianists to the islands where they were welcomed by Father Damien. They served the Catholic Mission and established Catholic education in Hawai`i, including what has become Chaminade University. "Na Pa`i Ki`i `o Brother Bertram", curated by emeritus English professor, Dr. Albert Lum, is sponsored by Chaminade University and the Office of Hawaiian Affairs.

The nationally accredited and Smithsonian-affiliated Lyman Museum is located at 276 Haili Street in Hilo. Museum hours are 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Monday-Saturday. Visit www.lymanmuseum.org or call 935-5021 for more information and admission rates.