Prior to burning down in the 2023 Lahaina fire, the Baldwin Home claimed to be the oldest building on Maui, dating to 1834 or 1835. The problem with that claim is that the Bailey House in Wailuku predates it by just one or two years!
Both were originally built by missionaries invited to Hawaii on the bequest of the country's king and chiefs. However, the Bailey House itself was ...
Prior to burning down in the 2023 Lahaina fire, the Baldwin Home claimed to be the oldest building on Maui, dating to 1834 or 1835. The problem with that claim is that the Bailey House in Wailuku predates it by just one or two years!
Both were originally built by missionaries invited to Hawaii on the bequest of the country's king and chiefs. However, the Bailey House itself was actually a mission school where local girls were educated and taught domestic skills. The house is named after Edward Bailey, a missionary who ran the school from 1844 onwards and is today known for his numerous landscape paintings of Maui. He continued to live here after the school was closed down.
Today, the Bailey House survives as a museum run by the Maui Historical Society. In addition to exhibits on the history of the island, there are also ones showcasing some of Edward Bailey's artwork and a recreation of a room in which he lived. Outside are a rare outrigger canoe made from a single koa log and a redwood surfboard which belonged to the legendary Duke Kahanamoku.