THE LYMAN MUSEUM

Taking in the Splendor and Intriguing History of One of the Top 10 Best Mineral Collections

- DONNA ALBRECHT

Like many of you, when I plan a vacation, I want to learn about the area’s rocks and minerals I may encounter. My 2019 cruise to Hawaii was no different, minus the fact that I would not be collecting. This response is partly due to understanding that collecting is not always appreciated in various areas of the islands, partially because of Pele’s Curse and because much of the geology is basalt.

Despite that, I wouldn’t be doing much digging to collect; I made a wonderful discovery in the Lyman Museum and Mission House on Hilo. This facility is affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution, having declared this collection one of the ten best mineral collections in the United States. This facility is the Hawai’i only natural and cultural history museum carefully curated and displayed in over 20,000 square feet of galleries. Knowing this, I was certain this would be a special place, and I was right.

When our group arrived at the museum, we were greeted by Gladys Suzuki, the education assistant of the museum, who graciously showed us around and shared the history.

The museum was founded by Orlando Lyman (1903-1986), the great-grandson of David and Sarah Lyman, missionaries who came to Hilo in 1832. Mr. Lyman’s great-grandparents collected and displayed natural “curios,” sparking his interest in the natural world. When he was a boy, his family took an automobile tour of the mainland.

“When we camped in the mountains and sagebrush country, I took early morning strolls and found all manner and types of colored rocks… “Lyman stated in his writings. “I have kept looking for minerals ever since.”