What’s Happening at Washington Place?
360 View of Queen Lili`uokalani’s Piano, Created for Washington Place by Jeff Galicinao and Sharla Hanaoka, University of Hawaii at West Oahu Creative Media Department, 2018.
Music: “The Queen’s Prayer (Ke Aloha O Ka Haku),” played by Ozzie Kotani on To Honor A Queen (E Ho`ohiwahiwa I Ka Mo`i Wahine) : The Music of Lili’uokalani. Produced by, Dancing Cat Productions; George Winston, 2012.
Queen Lili`uokalani composed over 150 songs and chants, many on her koa piano here at Washington Place. Her piano as well as her home was a place of refuge, comfort, courage, and serenity—a symbol of strength for her people. Washington Place welcomes you to view a glimpse of the home by clicking on the video above to listen, explore, and feel Queen Lili`uokalani’s music, her treasured piano, and the mana or spirit that still surrounds Washington Place.
The Queen’s Piano is on loan from Hawai`i State Archives. Other historical items in the room are either on loan from the Hawai`i State Archives, Bishop Museum, or part of the Washington Place collections.
To learn more about the Queen’s Piano visit the Washington Place Experience or schedule a tour on the Visitor Information page.
Honoring Queen Lili`uokalani at her home, Washington Place, December 2017, Photographer Unknown, Photograph Courtesy of Office of the Governor.
Discover the Stories of Hawai’i’s Historic Home, including a message from First Lady of the State of Hawai`i, Mrs. Dawn Amano-Ige.
Washington Place is partnering with the University of Hawai‘i West O‘ahu’s Academy for Creative Media to bring interactive experiences to tours at the historic residence as well as share the collections with our community at the touch of a button.
Coming soon visitors will be able to experience exclusive auditory and visual content using mobile technology inside Washington Place. Simply download the HP Reveal app prior to your visit or use a smart device made available during certain tours.
The Washington Place Experience App revisits the Queen’s legacy, along with past Governors of Hawaiʻi who have since lived in the home through the stories told by curators, families, and friends. The stories are at the heart of our mission, these interactive installations let the visitors explore the idea of making the past, present through, a personal, place-based experience.
To compliment the in-house app, UH West O‘ahu Academy for Creative Media has also created a website that explores not only our partnership, and the technology, but exhibits and collection pieces of the home.
Visit the Washington Place Experience website to explore the newest photography exhibit on former Statehood Governors on view in the Governor’s Parlor in the newly renovated second floor. Learn about Hawai’is heads of state from 1959 to the present, view candid photos of their families, famous people they have met, and significant events that explore what life might have been like at Washington Place during their terms.
Structural improvements to the second floor of Washington Place have made it possible to redesign the space and officially open the entire second floor of the original house to the community in December 2017. The first floor will continue to provide an introductory experience into the construction of the home and its first family, the Dominis Family, Queen Lili`uokalani, and Gubernatorial history. The second floor expands on these stories and explores the memories of those who called Washington Place home. Chronologically constructed, each room or parlor is dedicated to these particular residents.
Climb the red carpet staircase to the Queen’s Foyer to learn about Queen Lili`uokalani’s personal interests. Venture into the Dominis’ Parlor to see Mary’s silver. Stop at the Wall of Territorial Portraits to view which Territorial Governor lived in the home. Explore the Governor’s Parlor to discover the candid moments of the statehood families. Visit Washington Place Parlor to see how the building has expanded and the surrounding vegetation and cityscape has developed. Listen in the He Kū`ono Mele (A Mele or Music Niche) to songs composed by her majesty. Experience how each parlor captures a certain era, a way of life, a moment and despite political, social, and cultural differences these moments represent a commonality—Washington Place.
Drawing from the private collection of the Dominis Family, collections from the Hawai`i State Archives, and the Washington Place Foundation, the second floor parlors feature unique photographs, memorabilia, and furniture original to the home.