Nearly 170 years ago, a newlywed couple constructed a home in Hilo. There they raised their family and went about their work. That structure is now the oldest wooden frame building on the Big Island and open for public tours. It was built in 1839 by Calvinist missionaries, David and Sarah Lyman, and is furnished with tools, household items, furniture and artifacts used by the Lymans and other early missionary families. Guided tours are conducted Monday through Saturday.
The Mission House is adjacent to one of the best natural history museums in the state. Lyman Museum, 276 Haili St. in Hilo, is the only neighbor island museum accredited by the American Association of Museums.
The 76-year-old museum's collection includes an exhibit focusing on Hawaii before it was inhabited by humans, it showcases a nationally renowned rock and minerals collection, and an extensive shell collection. Special exhibits are mounted on a regular basis.
The Earth Heritage Gallery concentrates on natural history, showcasing the Big Island's volcanic origins and unique
ecosystems. The Island Heritage Gallery is devoted to the people of Hawaii, their history and culture and the cultures of a variety of immigrant groups. It also includes pre-European contact Hawaiian artifacts.
More than 26,000 volumes, documents, and historic photos of Hawaii are on display in the museum. The only Smithsonian-affiliated museum in the state, the Lyman Museum & Mission House exists solely to tell the story of Hawaii, its islands and its people. The museum is open Monday - Saturday, from 9:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.
