Grove Farm Museum Tour

The History Of Grove Farm

As the American Civil War was raging between the North and the South, young George Wilcox took a lease on a struggling farm located on the outskirts of Lihue, on the island of Kauai, in what was then the kingdom of Hawaii. The farm had been chopped out of a large grove of kukui trees and was therefore called Grove Farm. His vision combined with his education resulted in his ability to change this arid farm into a thriving sugar plantation. As the Civil War destroyed the agriculture in the South, it helped sugar become a successful venture in Hawaii. Sugar’s success was also favored by the Hawaiian monarchy as it was an additional source of income for it’s kingdom.

Advance reservations are required for an unhurried two-hour guided tour of the buildings, gardens and grounds at Grove Farm.

Tours are given in small groups and are led by Kauai residents familiar with life on the island, and are offered on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, beginning promptly at 10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

There is a $10 requested donation for the tour. Tours are not given on national holidays and are sometimes cancelled on rainy days. Please call or write us for reservations as far in advance as possible.