Caleigh Mason
Caleigh M. is the Collections Manager and Registrar at the Lyman Museum in Hilo. In this leadership role, she oversees comprehensive collections stewardship, manages inventories, coordinates donor assessments and collections committee workflows, and develops written procedures and policies to standardize museum practices. Caleigh’s work ensures meticulous care and ethical management of the institution’s extensive cultural collections while supporting long‑term preservation.
Trained as an anthropologist with a strong foundation in Pacific archaeology, Caleigh brings field experience from archaeological projects across Pacific island contexts and early career work in the Midwest. She transitioned into museum practice to focus on artifact care, cultural representation, and community access. Throughout her career she has developed procedural manuals and standardized workflows at multiple institutions and currently manages a full‑scale inventory project for a 16,000‑item collection.
Caleigh’s professional philosophy centers on culturally sensitive stewardship, ethical repatriation, and alignment with NAGPRA and professional museum standards, ensuring acquisitions and exhibits reflect respectful and accurate representation. She emphasizes community engagement and inclusive access to heritage work across generations. To further her expertise, Caleigh will pursue a Master’s degree in Heritage Management at the University of Hawaii at Hilo, a graduate program designed to prepare professionals for heritage‑related careers through applied research, archaeology, and heritage interpretation.
• University of Highlands and Islands,
Postgraduate Certificate, History
• University of Hawaii at Manoa - BA Anthro
• Lyman Museum
• Volunteer judge for Hawaii History Day
What do you attribute your success to?
To taking chances and her passion of learning about people and cultures have really brought some unique opportunities
What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The practical advice she follows: submit your resume and apply for opportunities even if you don’t meet every qualification.
What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
Encourage them to apply for positions and programs even when they don’t match every listed requirement; pursue internships and community engagement to gain experience.
What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
Challenges: large backlogs and inconsistent historical record-keeping, the need for comprehensive inventory work, and adherence to repatriation laws (NAGPRA).
Opportunities: developing standardized procedures, expanding into cultural impact assessment, and creating pathways (internships) to involve local students and community members.
What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Cultural sensitivity, accurate representation of marginalized voices, stewardship of the land (ʻāina), and empowering others through opportunity and mentorship.