00:00 (35 sec) 

 

Russian Bishop’s House first floor, 11 minutes. 

 

The Bishop's House is a two-story building approximately 7,500 square feet in area. The central part is constructed of logs cut flat to give the appearance of board siding and has a row of multi-paned windows on each floor. At either end of the building is a smaller addition covered in board and batten. Four steps lead up to a small porch in front of these small extensions. The building is painted dull yellow with white trim. The standing seam metal roof is dark red. The entrance to the building is at the left end. 

 

 

00:35 (15 sec) 

 

The entrance leads into a small room about 13 feet square. Six feet in front of the door is the visitor contact desk with a sign behind it that reads, "Welcome to the Historic Russian Bishop's House." To the right of the desk is a staircase leading upward. We move to the left, passing the desk, and entering a room behind. 

 

 

00:50 (55 sec) 

 

After passing through a small hallway we enter a room 14 feet wide and 11 feet deep. On the far wall directly in front of us, a table top with a tactile floor plan of the first floor of the building which contains visitor exhibits and artifacts. Below the floor plan is a drawer-like section pulled out with a floor plan of the second floor which is a restored bishop's residence and an active Russian Orthodox Chapel.  

 

01:08 

To the right of the floor plan exhibit, past a closed door, is a large graphic panel titled "This is Tlingit Aan í." The side wall beyond is made of the flat-surfaced logs painted gray. As the view moves around the room in a clockwise direction, we see there is a doorway in the side wall and then, on the wall through which we entered, a large chalkboard for visitor comments with the prompt “Where does your culture come from?”. 

 

Finally we see an emergency exit on the side wall to the left of the floor plan exhibit. 

 

 

01:45 (15 sec) 

 

The view returns to the side door and passes through to another small room. The walls to the right are weathered and peeling. There is another doorway with a panel to the left reading "Continue This Way" and two small panels on the right titled "Find It." 

 

 

02:00 (15 sec) 

 

Passing through that next doorway we enter a larger room filled with exhibits. In front of you is a large panel with a timeline of events in Sitka history and a panel to the right of it titled "The Legacy of Russian America." 

 

 

02:16 (24 sec) 

 

The view moves to the right side of the room where there is a large map showing the North Pacific world, with informational panels about the Russian Empire and Russian America on either side of it. A smaller angled panel below shows a world map. 

 

We also have a nice view of the flooring here, which is made of wide boards painted brown. 

 

We continue on to the outside wall, opposite the door we entered through, where there are more panels on either side and below two windows. 

 

 

02:41 (24 sec) 

 

The panels on this side of the room discuss First Peoples, For God and Tsar, and Russia in the Pacific and include a flip book and a touchable plaque. The view then shifts to look behind us where several more graphic panels are mounted on the back of the timeline exhibit. They include panels on Soft Gold, Employment or Enslavement, and Harmony or Exploitation. 

 

 

03:05 (20 sec) 

 

We continue moving to the left to more exhibits between the windows at the end of the room. These panels discuss Colonial Governance, Imperial Interests, and Supervising the Settlements. On a counter in front of the windows is a touchable model of the Russian Imperial double-headed eagle. 

 

 

03:25 (15 sec) 

 

Next the view moves to the end of the room. Exhibits along the wall here discuss Russian Society in Alaska and interactions with the Alaska Native peoples. Also in this section is a panel about Women in Russian Alaska and an exhibit with audio samples of common phrases in each of the five languages spoken here. 

 

 

03:40 (14 sec) 

 

Now we turn back to face the middle of the room where there is a panel on the Battle of Sitka. An artifact case below it showcases old military equipment such as canon balls, a Russian musket and Russian ammunition. 

 

 

03:54 (14 sec) 

 

Continuing past that exhibit we see a section of the side wall that shows the original structure. It is protected by a sheet of plexiglass and has a small "Find It" panel on it that highlights some historic graffiti. There is a bench along the wall to the left of that section. 

 

 

04:08 (31 sec) 

 

The view moves briefly back to the center of the room where there is a graphic panel titled "Countering the Fur Traders”. In a case behind the panel is a fur pelt from a sea otter. At the right of the panel is a touchable sample of the dark brown, thick fur.  

 

As the view swings back to the righthand wall, we see a wood stove in the shape of a black cylinder with a stove pipe, just beyond the bench. We then get another look at the historic wall section before turning back to the right and moving through a doorway at the far end of the room. 

 

 

04:39 (14 sec) 

 

The next room extends 19 feet to the right and is 13 feet wide. There are two windows on the far wall and exhibits on either side wall. In the middle of the room is a bench facing a large video monitor mounted on the left wall as you face the windows at the far end.  

 

 

04:55 (15 sec) 

 

Centered on the right wall is a large map of Alaska, northern Canada and the northwestern US. Blue dots on the map indicate the major Russian settlements. To the left is a panel titled "Russia's North America Settlements" and to the right of that is a large panel titled "Life in Russian America." 

 

 

05:10 (17 sec) 

 

Turning around to look at the opposite wall we see a 40-inch video monitor which shows a 3D-flythrough of a digital reconstruction of Sitka in the 1840s. A panel below discusses this as the colonial capital while panels on either side discuss Kad'yak: The Center of the Fur Trade and Feeding the Colony. 

 

 

05:27 (15 sec) 

 

Passing another black cylindrical stove we move through the doorway opposite the one we entered. This is a small room only six feet wide and 14 feet deep with white painted walls. We turn and move through a door in the right wall to enter a second room. 

 

 

05:42 (45 sec) 

 

This room is 14 feet wide and 12 feet deep with two windows ahead of us on the outer wall. The walls here are natural-colored wood planks with many knots. The unfinished left wall is covered in plexiglass. Directly in front of us is a metal railing which protects an exposed area of historic foundation. On the railing is a panel titled "Building a Colony" which discusses Russian building techniques used for this structure. 

 

Moving to the left of the railing we reach another panel against the outside wall titled "A Room Revealed" with a wallpaper sample and a touchable piece of spiny devil's club which the native Tlingit used to protect a house's inhabitants. 

 

Turning back towards the railed area we get a better view of the sand covering historic floorboards. On the railing here is a display case with two historic bricks and several construction tools. 

 

 

06:27 (30 sec) 

 

As we move to exit the room we see another historic wood stove in the corner by the door. Across from the door as we exit is a graphic panel titled "Uncovering the Past at Old Sitka" with a display case holding some of the artifacts unearthed at Old Sitka since 1968 such as tools and weapons. The items include a drawknife blade, a key, a pipe, and a doorknob. We then move through the next door just past the display case. 

 

 

06:58 (15 sec) 

 

We have now entered a stairwell with a gray-painted staircase winding both up and down. On the opposite wall is an emergency exit. A bench sits next to the stairs. 

 

We turn to the left and then left again to enter another set of rooms at the rear of the house. 

 

 

07:14 (33 sec) 

 

This room is approximately 19 feet wide and 13 feet deep. Exhibits line the walls except for the outside wall which has two windows. Exhibits on the wall to the left include panels titled "On the Menu" and "What's in the Pantry?" A large display case in the middle holds kitchen artifacts such as bottles, a bowl, and frying pan.  

 

To the right of that display in the corner is a section of original log and brick wall protected by plexiglass. On the plexiglass is a graphic showing a simple outline of a Russian stove, where the wood burned at the bottom, the cooking area was in the middle and the chimney at the top. 

 

 

07:47 (14 sec) 

 

The view then sweeps around to the wall to the right of the entry. Here is a panel discussing how the colony was supplied with food, clothing, and equipment. To the right is a display case with a brass-colored Russian samovar for heating water, a teapot and teacup. 

 

 

08:01 (29 sec) 

 

We then return to a vertical panel in the middle of the room titled "Life and Labor in Russian America" which points out that the Russian American Company controlled labor, trade, and daily life in the colony. 

 

Turning 180 degrees to face the opposite wall we see more exhibits on life in the colony. At right is a large sepia-toned image of a painting of a barefoot Indigenous Alaskan man wearing traditional clothing consisting of a headdress and patterned cloak with fringe on the bottom. 

 

 

08:30 (25 sec) 

 

We then move through a door to the left of those exhibits to enter a room with exhibits on Russian religion and education. This room is 19 feet wide and 17 feet deep. A chalkboard prompts “How can we avoid the mistakes of the past?” Along the outside wall to the right, below the windows, are exhibits that discuss Bilingualism in Alaska and Training a Workforce. In the middle is a display case about 3 feet long containing a grammar book, an abacus, a bilingual textbook, and Russian coins. 

 

 

08:55 (20 sec) 

 

Looking back to the wall through which we entered we see more sections of protected historic wall with a bench to the right of the door. As we continue to turn in a clockwise direction we see an exhibit in the middle of the room with a panel titled "Conversion and Cultural Change -- How did Russian orthodoxy change Alaska Native culture?" 

 

We then move past that to the far corner of the room. 

 

 

09:15 (15 sec) 

 

Here is a map of Alaska showing the major Russian orthodox parishes in 1860. To the right is a display case with books by Bishop Innokentii, an icon of St. Innocent, and a reproduction of a wax seal. To the left is a doorway which leads back to rooms on the other side of the house. 

 

 

09:30 (16 sec) 

 

We now turn back to view more exhibits in the middle of the room on the Orthodox Mission, Orthodoxy in Alaska, and a case with an Orthodox icon, an icon of Saint Iakov, and an Orthodox peg calendar. 

 

Turning back to the left we exit through a door passing more protected sections of historic wall and another bench. 

 

 

09:46 (24 sec) 

 

This room is approximately 19 feet wide and 13 feet deep. Directly in front of us is a panel titled "The End of the Russian Era."  

 

To the right are more panels between and below the windows on the outside wall which discuss the fate of Alaskan and Russian peoples after the transfer. 

 

 

10:10 (20 sec) 

 

Continuing to turn back to the right, we see panels next to the door through which we entered that discuss the transfer, or purchase, of Alaska to the United States.. 

 

 

10:30 (30 sec) 

 

The view then moves past the door to exhibits along the other side wall. One large panel at right is titled "Russia's Legacy Today." In the left corner is a large video monitor which shows a simple slideshow of the Russian Bishop’s House before, during and after NPS’ renovation. 

 

Back in the center of the room is a vertical image panel with a modern-day photograph of the front of St. Michael’s Cathedral in the center of downtown Sitka.  

 

 

11:00 (29 sec) 

 

This is the final exhibit area on the first floor. The view now moves down a passageway past the entrance to the main exhibits, through the small room with the touchable floorplan, turns left, and returns to the information desk and the front entrance. To the left of the entrance is a table which holds the National Parks Passport Station for the park. To the right is a bench. The tour of the second floor is contained in a separate video. End of video. 

00:00 (35 sec) 

 

Russian Bishop’s House 2nd floor, 9 minutes. 

 

The Bishop's House is one of the few surviving examples of Russian Colonial architecture in North America. Originally completed in 1843, the second floor is a restored bishop's residence accessible by ranger-led tours only.  

 

The tour begins in the stairwell at the east end of the building, which is at the opposite end from the main entrance. The walls and wooden staircase are painted gray. The floor is made of wide planking painted brown. On the outside wall is an emergency exit.  

 

The view then moves up the stairs on the left, following a gray carpet runner. On the second floor landing we see a section of historic wall, made of flat-cut logs, gray from weathering. 

 

 

00:35 (15 sec) 

 

The landing is light and airy with windows on the outside walls. Signs warn visitors to mind their step, as the door thresholds are raised. We then move through a door opposite the head of the stairs, entering a small vestibule and turn left to view a small room through an open door. 

 

 

00:51 (28 sec) 

 

The room is about five and half feet wide and five feet deep. On the floor is a small circular rug with a floral design. On the opposite wall is a three-foot wide bookcase holding historic books and booklets. On the left wall is a small pedestal covered with a red brocade cloth and an open bible on top. An incense burner hangs above it and religious pictures are mounted against the wall covered in green-and-white wallpaper. 

 

 

01:19 (45 sec) 

 

We then return to the vestibule and turn left entering the dining room. This room stretches 20 feet to the right and 13 feet ahead, where there is a door directly opposite us. The walls are covered in white wallpaper with a repeating gold and brown damask pattern. As we move to the far right corner we see a table in the middle of the room covered with a white cloth and seven settings of blue and white patterned porcelain china. Silverware is set for the places on the far side of the table. The chairs are simple wooden straight chairs with dark blue padded seats. Five more chairs sit along the outside wall below the two windows. In the middle of the far wall is a brick chimney painted white with a small fireplace. Turning around we see a door into the pantry in this corner. 

 

 

02:05 (20 sec) 

 

The pantry is 12 feet wide and six feet deep with one window on the wall to the left. Opposite the door are two wooden shelving racks holding blue and white patterned china, three silver trays, and copper pitchers and kettles. On the floor are small barrels and wooden chests with more china dishes on top. 

 

 

02:25 (49 sec) 

 

We then return to the dining room and exit through the door on the far wall, entering the formal reception room. Directly ahead of us is a short folding divider screen with fabric panels. To the left is a door into another room, which we proceed to enter. 

 

This is a guest room, 13 feet wide and 20 feet deep with two windows on the far wall. The walls are covered with a dark red wallpaper with a light gold floral vine pattern. In the corner to the left is a wooden armchair with mustard yellow padded seat and back. In the middle of the left wall is another door. On the right wall is a folding divider with fabric panels and a dark-colored chest with a candle stick on it. 

 

At the far end of the room is a twin-size bed with a sleigh-shaped frame extending out from the right wall. On the left wall past the door is a four-drawer dresser. Against the wall between the windows is a pedestal table with a brass candlestick and two small plates.  

 

 

03:14 (22 sec) 

 

We then move through the door on the left, entering the study, 10 feet wide by 13 feet deep. The wallpaper is white with a dark green floral pattern. On the far wall is a plain wooden writing desk with a central drawer and two rectangular organizers on either side. A straight chair sits in front of the desk and another to the left of it. In the right corner by the windows is a larger armchair with green upholstery. 

 

 

03:36 (30 sec) 

 

Back to the left is the small bishop's bedroom, nine and a half by seven and a half feet. In the back left corner as we enter is a brick chimney painted white with a small fireplace. Along the left wall is a small dresser with a washbasin and pitcher on top. Entering the room and turning to the right, we see the twin-sized bed, with a door in the back right corner leading to the small library room we viewed earlier. On the wall above the headboard is a crucifix with three horizontal arms. On the floor is a small rug with a repeating octagonal floral pattern. 

 

 

04:06 (19 sec) 

 

We turn back, passing through the study, and then pause in the door to the guest room, with a good view of the far wall towards the head of the bed, the other dresser with four drawers, and the folding privacy screen. Next we pass through that room and return to the large reception room, passing its privacy screen on our left. 

 

 

04:25 (15 sec) 

 

This room is 20 feet wide and stretches 27 feet away from us with two doors in the far left corner. Centered along the left wall is a formal seating area with a folding privacy screen at either end. There is a white-painted brick chimney on the far wall and the outside wall to the right has four windows. 

 

 

04:40 (20 sec) 

 

The view moves into the middle of the room and turns to face the seating area on the left wall. There is a five-foot long sofa with mustard-colored upholstery. In front of that is a pedestal table covered with a white cloth and holding a samovar and five cups with saucers. On either end of the table is a wooden armchair with the same mustard yellow fabric. On the wall above the sofa is a framed portrait of the Russian Czar Alexander II in a military uniform with large gold epaulets on his shoulders and medals on his chest. 

 

 

05:10 (28 sec) 

 

Facing the outside wall we see a small wooden desk between the middle windows. At either end between the other windows is a plain wooden table, one holding a clock and the other one with a brass bowl and two candlesticks. Large mirrors hang above those tables. In front of each window is a straight chair with dark blue padded seat and back.  

 

Along each end wall are two armchairs draped with a plain white fabric protective slip case. As we face the far end wall we get a good view of the gray wallpaper with its floral design. 

 

 

05:38 (50 sec) 

 

As we exit through the door at the far end, we see a closed door with a window offering a glimpse of the chapel. We then move into a wide corridor about 13 feet long. To the right is a door into the Attendant's room, which is about 13 feet square. The walls are covered with white wallpaper with a dark blue square grid dotted with octagons. In the left corner is a small wooden chest. Extending out from the left wall is a narrow cot. On the outside wall between the two windows is a small table with a wash basin and pitcher. A towel hangs from a hook to the right of it. To the left in the corner is a folding privacy screen. Continuing to turn clockwise we see that the right wall has been stripped so we can see the squared-off logs with strips of paper covering the cracks between them. A larger wooden chest sits against that wall. Hanging over a small corner shelf is a white stole with a dark red embroidered design.  

 

 

06:28 (14 sec) 

 

Returning to the corridor, we pause to look closely at the rough walls made of flattened logs painted white. We also get a good look at the raised threshold on the door leading into the next room. 

 

There is a vertical window on either side of that door.  

 

 

06:42 (22 sec) 

 

Moving through that doorway we enter an empty room at the west end of the house with a single window on the outside wall facing us. The room is slightly larger than 13-feet square. The walls here are made of vertical planking painted white and the vertical, horizontal, and diagonal structural beams clearly visible. The lower couple of feet on the wall are painted are painted gray with a black and white splatter pattern. A low grey bench sits along the left wall. 

 

 

07:14 (24 sec) 

 

After turning clockwise to view the room, we exit through a door towards the end room on the other side of the house, passing a stairwell on the left.  The wall to the right has three windows. The front wall, which faces south is lined with four windows. To the left as we enter is a low grey bench and a double door into the final room on this floor, the Chapel of Annunciation. To the right of the door is a small desk holding baskets of candles. A small sign in front reads, "Please remove your hats. Photos welcome." 

 

 

07:38 (35 sec) 

 

The chapel is 20 feet wide and 23 feet deep. Three pedestals about three feet tall sit in a triangular arrangement in the middle of the room with the center pedestal closest to us. They are covered with white brocade cloths with blue embroidery. Each holds a framed image of a biblical scene. Other religious imagery hangs on the far wall and the side wall in between the four windows. Near the right wall is another pedestal, this one covered with a wide strip of shiny red fabric.  

 

Turning to face the entrance we see framed tapestries on either side of the door with more religious imagery.  

 

 

08:13 (27 sec) 

 

Continuing to turn clockwise we see a large painting hanging on the wall opposite from the windows. It shows a white bearded priest wearing full vestment robes. An incense burner hangs from the ceiling in front of the painting. Another pedestal with a red covering sits against the wall beside it. To the right is a chimney painted white and a second door just past that.  

 

Turning back to view the far end of the room, we see a raised platform with a divider wall covered with paintings of religious scenes. Three doors in the divider wall are open allowing a view of the white draped altar beyond.  

 

 

08:46 (8 sec) 

 

We then turn back to the entrance wall where we get a closer view of the large framed tapestries. 

 

 

08:53 (30 sec) 

 

The view then exits back through the door we came in, into the small room beyond, then turns right and moves down the stairs, which turn again to the right and end up at the main entrance to the building. The information desk is to our right and the exit and National Parks Passport stamp station are straight ahead. This is the end of our tour.