Historic Structure Report: Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum

Gurcke, Karl; Ikenouye, Tara; Richman, Michael; Lyon, Robert

This Historic Structure Report (HSR) documents the Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum building located within the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park (KLGO), the Skagway Historic District, and the Skagway and White Pass District National Historic Landmark in Skagway, Alaska. The Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum building is significant for its role in keeping the story of Skagway in the mind of the touring public for over a hundred years and its association with the individuals who maintained it. In its early days, one part of the current building was headquarters of the infamous Skagway crime boss Soapy Smith. It remained a key part of Skagway history as it was converted into a gold rush museum in tribute to Soapy Smith and the gold rush era by Martin Itjen and maintained as such into the 1980s by George Rapuzzi. The Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum building meets the National Register Criterion A as it has been an important part of the legacy of tourism in Skagway and remains a significant structure as a part of both historic and present day tourist activity in the area. As a contributing resource to the Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park and the National Historic Landmark, the Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum must be restored and maintained. Neglect, multiple moves and effects of time have contributed to the deterioration of this building to the point that stabilization efforts are paramount to any other preservation treatments. The museum lists significantly to the west because the partial log and concrete foundation has failed and the building is sinking into grade. The walls along the northeastern section of the building are detached from the sill plate and foundation and are bowing outward. Sections of the wood cedar shingles are missing, creating gaps and holes that allow moisture to penetrate the building's roof. The restoration treatment will require a new concrete foundation, structural enhancement to the building envelope to accommodate load bearing members and insulation, cedar shingle and corrugated metal roofing and site improvements. The interior wall treatments associated with the Martin Itjen and George Rapuzzi eras should be preserved, restored where possible or rehabilitated if necessary. Given the toxicity of the moose and wildlife diorama inside the rear of the building this space may need alteration to protect visitors, if this display is to remain in the restored building. Overall, the building exterior must be painted and weatherized, and the surrounding site leveled and historic objects curated.

Historic Structure Report: Jeff. Smiths Parlor Museum

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