Stuart Ching being introduced.
BY Christine Hitt
January 26, 2010
Last week, I attended Experts at the Palace 2010 Lecture Series at the Old Archives building on the Iolani Palace Grounds. Every Thursday at noon, experts discuss various topics during the years of the Kalakaua Monarchy.
“Iolani Palace and the British Country House” was the topic of last week’s discussion with Stuart Ching, an Iolani Palace curator. Here are my notes:
-There are more similarities to the British Country House than differences, in regards to changes of ownership, architecture, furnishings, preservation and authenticity.
-The first palace was built in 1846 and kept the same form/shape as the original shacks that were the first palaces on the grounds.
-The current palace that you see today was completed in 1882. The service quarters were in the basement, principal or reception rooms were on the first floor, family quarters on the second floor and storage space in the higher spaces.
-Many British houses had a family chapel on its grounds but Iolani palace did not. However, during the reign of Liliuokalani, chapel services were held in the basement.
-Like British country houses, furnishings changed with fashion. It was custom to accumulate furnishings from different periods.
-Portraits were displayed around the home to reflect the family’s genealogy, showing strength and power.
-There is a common preservation mantra: Keep things as they are found. Preserve rather than restore. And, adaptation is always done… just as an air conditioning is added into a palace, or security system.
-Many British country homes had gardens. Iolani Palace was once surrounded by gardens, which are not there now.
Another important note that Stuart Ching mentioned is about how both British country houses and Iolani Palace must think of ways to raise money for the restoration and preservation of the building. British homes have done much more in this respect. They’ve been turned into bed and breakfasts, hotels, restaurants, multiple apartments and rented out for films.
Here are the upcoming lectures:
January 28 – Yongthanit Pimosathean – A compromise of East and West: King Rama V and the design of Chakkri Throne Hall in the Grand Palace, Bangkok
February 4 – Neil Dukas – The military forces of King Kalakaua’s Reign
February 11 – Niklaus Schweizer – Kalakaua’s Foreign Policy
February 18 – Nanette Napolean – The Royal Mausoleum
