Father Damien was born Joseph de Veuster on January 3, 1840, in Tremelo, Belgium. He was the seventh of eight children born of Frans and Anne-Catherine de Veuster.. He followed his brother Pamphile into the Congregation of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary and was sent to Hawaii as a theology student in 1864. Two months after his arrival he was ordained at the Cathedral of Our Lady of Peace and give an assignment in Puna, Hawaii.

On May 4, 1873, Father Damien accompanied Bishop Maigret to Wailuku, Maui, to witness the consecration of a new church. It was there that he learned of the plight of the inhabitants of Kalaupapa. Damien volunteered to work in the settlement with the understanding that others would relieve him in a few months. His stay lasted sixteen years.

Young Damien rose to meet the challenge of his new parish; he nursed, ministered to the sick, and buried the dead. He also built houses, churches, orphanages, and hospitals. He exchanged vegetables from his garden for nails, lumber, and medicine. His accomplishments were monumental for the few years allotted as his lifetime. He gave it all he had and in the end he even gave his life for the love of his people and his God.

The world has not forgotten: "greater love than this hath no man, that he give his life for his friend," an ideal exemplified by Father Damien's love and sacrifice. The museum hopes to perpetuate his memory by showing the momentos and papers of Father Damien and the people who shared his life.