One of the largest acquisitions of Palace objects in recent memory arrived in March of 2009 from Thomas S. Morgan of Los Altos, California. His donation included a total of forty-one pieces of silver, china, and glassware that once graced King Kalakaua's table. There were four blue-bordered plates and a green-bordered soup plate bearing the Hawaiian Coat of Arms made by CHs. Pillivuyt & Cie. of Paris; three glasses of various heights sporting a stipple and crown design; and seven dinner forks, fifteen salad forks, five dinner knives, and six butter knives. These last items, with two engraved facing "K" surmounted by a crown on the handles, were part of a set in silver plate manufactured by Walker & Hall of Sheffield, England.

Born in Honolulu, Thomas Morgan is a member of a kamaaina family that originally arrived in the islands during the 1850's. He received his early education at Hanahauoli and Punahou School. His grandfather, James Francis Morgan, Sr., was an auctioneer who participated in the original auctions of Palace articles after the end of the Hawaiian Monarchy in 1893. Some of the Palace articles acquired by his grandfather were passed to his father, William Lionel Morgan, in whose memory these items are now given. Mr. Morgan remarked that because of his age, he chose to make the donation at this time. He states, "I feel that it is important to know that the artifacts have returned to their ‘home' where they will be preserved for the future and best appreciated by the many visitors to Iolani Palace. I encourage others who have similar items in their possession, or who know where such artifacts exist, to please return them or notify Iolani Palace." Palace personnel is extremely grateful for Mr. Morgan's generosity and hopes that others will follow his lead in bringing objects back to Iolani Palace for the enjoyment of all.