Washington Place

Originally built in 1847 as the private residence for sea captain John Dominis, Washington Place became better known as Queen Lilioukalani's home when, in 1862, the then Princess married John Owen Dominis(the sea captain's son, who would later become the Royal Governor of Oahu). Prior to this(1849-1854), William Little Lee,an American lawyer who became the first Chief Justice of the Supreme Court for the Kingdom of Hawaii, had rented rooms here from Captain Dominis(Lee was to play a major role in the integration of western style law - based on the Massachusetts model - with Hawaiian law). Later, in 1893, when the monarchy was overthrown, Queen Liliuokalani was arrested at Washington Place and then imprisioned in Iolani Palace. After ten months, she returned to Washington Place, where she spent the rest of her life. Eventually, Washington Place would become the official residence of the Governor of Hawaii, at least until 2008, when a new Governor's residence was built on the grounds behind the historic building. Washington Place was designated a National Historic Landmark in 2007 and is well worth a visit.

The historic Washington Place, built by a sea captain, and later, home to a Queen.

An 1891 photo of Washington Place when Queen Lilioukalani was in residence.

Like many grand old mansions, the parlor was the center of social life.

Queen Lilioukaloni was an avid musician and composer, so it was natural that her home would have a music room. Notice the two Kahili feathered staffs by the windows. These were considered a staff of state that only Hawaiian Chiefs could display.

For more casual and informal get-togethers, this enclosed sun porch was a favorite space.

The "Diplomatic Reception Room was used for more formal occasions .

Of course, on State Occasions, the formal dining room was THE place to be.

While not quite as ostentatious as those we've seen in the palaces of Europe, we still felt that this Queen's bedroom had an element of elegance in its simplicity.