Sitka National Historical Park
Encyclopedia
Located approximately one–half mile from the Park, the Russian Bishop's House (originally known as the "Russian Mission Orphanage") was constructed out of native spruce in 1842 by Finnish
carpenters. It is one of only four surviving examples of Russian Colonial Style architecture in the Western Hemisphere
. Bishop
Innocent (Father Ivan Evseyevich Popov-Veniaminov) of the Russian Orthodox Church
, a clergyman, teacher, scientist, and linguist, occupied the residence until 1859. The Church operated the facility as a school, residence, and place of worship for another century, until the dilapidated condition forced its abandonment in 1972.
In 1973, the Park Service embarked on a 16–year restoration project to return the property to its former glory. Modern plumbing, heating, and electrical systems were installed, while at the same time keeping the structure as authentic as possible. The second floor was restored to its 1853 appearance, based on archaeological evidence and early diaries and drawings. Today, numerous exhibits and lavish icons in the "Chapel of the Annunciation" convey the legacy of Russian America.
Finland
Finland , officially the Republic of Finland, is a Nordic country situated in the Fennoscandian region of Northern Europe. It is bordered by Sweden in the west, Norway in the north and Russia in the east, while Estonia lies to its south across the Gulf of Finland.Around 5.4 million people reside...
carpenters. It is one of only four surviving examples of Russian Colonial Style architecture in the Western Hemisphere
Western Hemisphere
The Western Hemisphere or western hemisphere is mainly used as a geographical term for the half of the Earth that lies west of the Prime Meridian and east of the Antimeridian , the other half being called the Eastern Hemisphere.In this sense, the western hemisphere consists of the western portions...
. Bishop
Bishop
A bishop is an ordained or consecrated member of the Christian clergy who is generally entrusted with a position of authority and oversight. Within the Catholic Church, Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox Churches, in the Assyrian Church of the East, in the Independent Catholic Churches, and in the...
Innocent (Father Ivan Evseyevich Popov-Veniaminov) of the Russian Orthodox Church
Russian Orthodox Church
The Russian Orthodox Church or, alternatively, the Moscow Patriarchate The ROC is often said to be the largest of the Eastern Orthodox churches in the world; including all the autocephalous churches under its umbrella, its adherents number over 150 million worldwide—about half of the 300 million...
, a clergyman, teacher, scientist, and linguist, occupied the residence until 1859. The Church operated the facility as a school, residence, and place of worship for another century, until the dilapidated condition forced its abandonment in 1972.
In 1973, the Park Service embarked on a 16–year restoration project to return the property to its former glory. Modern plumbing, heating, and electrical systems were installed, while at the same time keeping the structure as authentic as possible. The second floor was restored to its 1853 appearance, based on archaeological evidence and early diaries and drawings. Today, numerous exhibits and lavish icons in the "Chapel of the Annunciation" convey the legacy of Russian America.
Historic designations
- National Register of Historic Places #NPS–66000164
- National Register of Historic Places #NPS–66000025 — Russian Bishop's House
External links
- Sitka National Historical Park National Park ServiceNational Park ServiceThe National Park Service is the U.S. federal agency that manages all national parks, many national monuments, and other conservation and historical properties with various title designations...
official website - Totem poles in the park
- Sitka National Monument in Glimpses of Our National Monuments (1930)