Anna Ranch is located on 110 acres.
Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske insisted on calling herself a cowboy, not
a cowgirl. She could mend fences with the best of them, and she
wasn’t afraid to wield a branding iron or ride a Brahma bull 10
times her weight. Much more than a rancher, however, the spirited
Big Island legend who lived from 1900-1995 stood out from the crowd
as a community leader, humanitarian, licensed butcher, winning
jockey, fashion monger and high-society hostess.
All of those personalities come to life at a new attraction
called Anna Ranch Heritage Center, open since September on a
110-acre spread in the upcountry town of Waimea. During tours of
the restored ranch house, built in 1910 and listed on the Hawaii
State Register of Historic Places, clients can see furnishings and
collectables arranged as if Perry-Fiske herself had invited them
over for a visit.
Anna Ranch Heritage Center executive director Momi Naughton said
Perry-Fiske wanted her home turned into a museum when she died, so
that visitors could learn about the area’s rich ranching heritage.
To that end, Naughton and her associates accepted the herculean
task of preserving the treasures accumulated during Perry-Fiske’s
lifetime. The goal, said Naughton, was to chart the history of the
ranch, from the story of Perry-Fiske’s ancestors who lived there
from the 1840s, to her life with her second husband of 34 years,
Lyman Perry-Fiske.
Items in the house reflect Anna’s
interests.
“We wanted to give each room a theme,” said Naughton, “paying
tribute to the various members of Anna’s family as well as those
things that were important to her.” On the porch, for instance,
clients see her father’s desk and her mother’s tatting, with
handmade pillows dating back to the 1920s. The living room honors
the family’s love of music, with a player piano surrounded by
photographs of her brothers; 1943 sheet music dedicated to
Perry-Fiske by songwriter Johnny Noble; and a rare music box dating
back to 1900, still in working condition. The saddle room showcases
the many rigs used by the accomplished rider, while shelves of
cowboy boots stand at attention in case their owner should still
need them.
From room to room, it’s clear that Perry-Fiske was a lover of
style. In her bedroom, a mannequin displays a ruby-colored dress,
one of many that she designed herself, while fashionable hats
appear ready for her to pick out for a special occasion. In a room
filled with riding trophies, clients can see her rhinestone costume
made by Nudies Rodeo Tailors of Hollywood, which created clothes
for the likes of Roy Rogers and Elvis Presley. Perry-Fiske’s
worldliness shines through in the dining room, where collections of
Asian China and art pieces sparkle in koa-wood cases.
Anna Lindsey Perry-Fiske
In the dining room hangs a huge portrait of the elegant Perry-Fiske
demonstrating pau, a uniquely Hawaiian style of horsemanship and
pageantry. Dubbed the Queen of Pau Riders, she shared the tradition
with the world and, in 1971, participated as the first pau rider in
the Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena. In the 1970s,
Perry-Fiske combined her love of pau with her dedication to
charitable causes by launching a yearly fundraiser for the American
Heart Association. Called Old Hawaii on Horseback, the event drew
thousands of spectators to her spacious front yard, where costumed
equestrians acted out the history of the islands. Naughton expects
to recreate the event each year, with next year’s slated for Aug.
16.
Plans call for the opening of Anna Ranch’s historic barn to
feature hands-on activities that appeal to children. An adjacent
teahouse, graced with expansive views of lush green hills, has
already been restored for weddings and corporate meetings.
Naughton sees the heritage center as a perfect option for
clients with an interest in the culture and history of the
area.
Seniors and nostalgia buffs are a natural market for the
attraction, she said.
“On each tour, we try to find out what the clients’ interests
are,” said Naughton. “Anna was a woman of such diversity that we
can always make a connection between our present-day guests and the
grand lady whose home they are visiting.”
| CONTACT Anna Ranch Heritage Center
808-885-4426
www.annaranch.org One-hour tours are offered each Wed. at 10 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.,
and Sat. at 9 a.m., 1:30 p.m. and 3:30 p.m. The cost is $7 per
person.
GETTING THERE
Three days each week starting Jan. 7, Aloha Airlines’ new nonstop
service from San Diego to Kona touches down on the Big Island at
11:55 a.m., giving clients the entire afternoon and evening to
start their vacation activities. Convenient return flights leave
Kona at 3:55 p.m. On alternate days, the carrier stops on Kauai.
The airline also uses a plane painted by marine life artist
Wyland.
800-367-5250
www.alohaairlines.com |