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 log house is one of the oldest buildings left from when Russia owned Alaska.
It was a key place for the Russian Orthodox church to share its beliefs with the native people of Alaska. The house was also the home and office for Ivan Veniaminov. He was the first Bishop of Alaska and is now known as Innocent of Alaska. Today, the Russian Bishop's House is a museum. It is part of Sitka National Historical Park and is looked after by the National Park Service. It is also a special place called a National Historic Landmark.
Contents
What the House Looks 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 has nine main sections inside. Each section is about 7 feet (2 meters) square. The roof is shaped like a hip roof, which slopes on all four sides.
Outside the House
The ends of the house have extra parts called "galleries." These were like covered porches. They were 14 feet (4 meters) wide. These galleries were used for stairs, storage, and entrances. Over the years, the outside of the house changed a bit. Around 1851, the south side was covered with wooden boards. The gallery roofs were also changed to metal. Later, in 1887, the galleries got new siding.
Inside the House
The inside of the house was changed many times over the years. When the National Park Service took over the property in 1973, they did a big restoration. This means they carefully fixed it up to look more like it did originally.
Other Buildings Nearby
There are two other old buildings on the property. These buildings were also used by the Russian Orthodox Church.
- The Old School: This two-story wooden building is east of the main house. It was built in 1897. It was first used as a kindergarten and a school for girls.
- House 105: This is a 1.5-story wooden house. It faces Monastery Street. It was moved to its current spot in the 1950s. It is one of the oldest buildings in Sitka.
History of the Bishop's House
Finnish workers built the Russian Bishop's House between 1841 and 1843. The Russian American Company brought them to Alaska. The house was built for Reverend Ivan Veniaminov. He was chosen to be the first Bishop of Alaska by the Russian Orthodox Church.
A Center for Learning
From Sitka, Bishop Veniaminov helped spread Orthodox teachings and education. He worked with the native people of southern Alaska. Between 1841 and 1860, the number of Orthodox church members in the area almost doubled. These efforts continued even after the United States bought Alaska in 1867. They slowed down only after the Russian Revolution in 1917.
Changes Over Time
In 1872, the main office for the Russian church moved to San Francisco. The Bishop's House then became living quarters for priests. The first floor was even used as an inn for a while. In 1903, a bishop was again assigned to Sitka. For most of the 1900s, the upper floors had a chapel and the bishop's rooms. The ground floor was used for different things. In the 1920s, it even had a printing press. This press made church papers and local newspapers like the Sitka Sun.
The Old School and House 105
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.
Becoming a Landmark
The property was named 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." This name showed what it was mainly used for then. In 1980, its name on the Register 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 it on tours led by park rangers.
See also
- List of National Historic Landmarks in Alaska
- List of the oldest buildings in Alaska
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Sitka City and Borough, Alaska
