The hawaiian mission houses historic site and archives (HMH) will develop more dynamic and accessible tools that expand access to collections while supporting storytelling and interactive learning…

The Institute of Museum and Library Services awarded The Hawaiian Mission Children's Society, doing business as Hawaiian Mission Houses Historic Site and Archives, $101,704 on September 1, 2026, under the Museums for America program (CFDA 45.301) to develop and deploy a digital exhibition platform titled Past Forward: A Digital Reimagining of Hawai'i's History.

The recipient will select and digitize archival materials from its collections; develop multimedia interpretive content; design an accessible interface that enables visitors to explore layered historical narratives; install digital displays in the museum's main exhibit gallery; and train staff and volunteers to maintain and expand the system. Work will be performed in collaboration with a digital media designer and community advisors to create interactive content. The resulting fully operational digital exhibition platform will expand public access to the Hawaiian Mission Houses' archival collections and support inquiry-based learning through primary sources and diverse historical perspectives, benefiting local residents, students, educators, researchers, and museum visitors.

Period of performance runs through December 31, 2027. Place of performance is Honolulu, Hawaii.

The hawaiian mission houses historic site and archives (HMH) will develop more dynamic and accessible tools that expand access to collections while supporting storytelling and interactive learning through its project, past forward: a digital reimagining of hawai'i's history. This project will transform how visitors engage with the museum's collections and interpret the complex histories they represent. HMH will select and digitize archival materials; develop multimedia interpretive content; design an accessible interface that allows visitors to explore layered historical narratives; install digital displays; and train staff and volunteers to maintain and expand the system. HMH will collaborate with a digital media designer and community advisors to develop and install interactive content to be displayed in the museum's main exhibit gallery. The project will result in a fully operational digital exhibition platform that expands access to HMH's archival collections and supports interactive, inquiry-based learning. The project will benefit local residents, students, educators, researchers, and the museum's visitors by providing engaging opportunities to explore hawai'i's history through primary sources and diverse perspectives.