John Young Homestead Comes to Life

Repairs continue at John Young Homestead

For the past several weeks a team of experts, including archeologists, masons and preservationists, have been actively engaged in stabilizing and making repairs to the John Young Homestead. Three years ago this month, Hawai’i Island was hit by a powerful earthquake that brought parts of the Homestead’s walls tumbling down and significantly damaged other  important historical features of the Park, including Pu’ukohola Heiau.

The John Young Homestead is the oldest known Western-style house in all of the Hawaiian Islands. The house, which probably dates from the late 1790′s or early 1800′s, was used by John Young until his death at the age of 93. The house was unique in that the walls, both inside and out, were covered in a plaster made from crushed coral, water, poi and hair, some which can still be seen.

Park Archeologist points out fingerprints in the plaster of John Young's home.

The members of the work team have spent the last several weeks painstakingly analyzing the structure, moving large stones into their proper positions and making tedious repairs to the remaining plaster on the walls. All of their hard work will hopefully prevent or at least slow down the rate of decay that naturally occurs in this hostile environment.

If you would like more information about John Young, his Homestead and the work being done to preserve our historic sites for future generations,  please visit the Park’s website at http://www.nps.gov/puhe.

Expert masons pass stones at the John Young Homestead.