Russian Bishop's House facts for kids
|
Russian Bishop's House
|
|
|
U.S. Historic district
Contributing property |
|
 |
|
 Location in Downtown Sitka
Location in Alaska
|
|
| Location | 501 Lincoln Street, Sitka, Alaska |
|---|---|
| Area | 0.5 acres (0.20 ha) |
| Built | 1843 |
| Part of | Sitka National Historical Park (ID66000164) |
| MPS | Russian Orthodox Church Buildings and Sites TR (AD) |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000025 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
|
| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | June 13, 1962 |
| Designated CP | October 15, 1966 |
The Russian Bishop's House is a very old and important building in Sitka, Alaska. It was built a long time ago, between 1841 and 1843. This house is special because it's one of the oldest buildings left from when Russia owned Alaska, known as Russian America.
The house was once called the Russian Mission Orphanage. It was a main place for the Russian Orthodox Church to share its beliefs with the native people of Alaska. A very important person named Ivan Veniaminov lived and worked here. He was the first Bishop of Alaska and is now considered a saint. Today, the Russian Bishop's House is part of Sitka National Historical Park. The National Park Service takes care of it.
What Does the House Look Like?
The Russian Bishop's House is a two-story building made of logs. It measures about 42 feet by 63 feet (about 13 by 19 meters). The building is divided into nine sections, each about 7 feet (2 meters) square. It has a sloped roof.
The ends of the house have extra parts that stick out. These parts were once used for stairs, storage, and entrances. Over time, the outside of the house has changed a bit. For example, some parts were covered with wooden boards. The inside of the house has also been changed many times. It was carefully fixed up after the National Park Service took over in 1973.
Other Buildings Nearby
The land around the Bishop's House also has two other buildings. These buildings were also used by the Russian Orthodox Church.
- The Old School is east of the main house. It's a two-story wooden building built in 1897. It was used as a kindergarten and a school for girls.
- House 105 is a smaller wooden house. It used to be on a different piece of land. It was moved to its current spot in the 1950s.
A Look at the House's Past
The Russian Bishop's House was built between 1841 and 1843. Workers from Finland, brought by the Russian-American Company, helped build it. The house was made for Reverend Ivan Veniaminov. He was chosen to be the first Bishop of Alaska by the Russian Orthodox Church.
From Sitka, Bishop Veniaminov helped spread the Orthodox faith and education. Between 1841 and 1860, the number of Orthodox followers in southern Alaska almost doubled. Even after the United States bought Alaska in 1867, the church continued its work. However, funding was cut after the Russian Revolution in 1917.
In 1872, the main church office moved to San Francisco. The Bishop's House was then used to house priests. For a while, the first floor even served as an inn.
In 1903, a bishop was again assigned to Sitka. For most of the 1900s, the upper floors had a chapel and the bishop's living area. The ground floor was used for many things. In the 1920s, it even had a printing press. This press made church books and local newspapers like the Sitka Sun.
The Old School building was used as a church school until 1922. After that, it became a public school. House 105 was rented out by the church for many years. It is one of the oldest buildings in Sitka.
The Russian Bishop's House was recognized as a National Historic Landmark in 1962. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1966. At that time, it was called the "Russian Mission Orphanage." In 1980, its name on the list was changed to "Russian Bishop's House."
Today, the National Park Service owns and manages the Russian Bishop's House. It is part of Sitka National Historical Park. You can visit the house and take tours led by park rangers.
