National Park Service
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PREFACE
The recognition of nationally significant historical
sites is a goal of the National Park Service. This volume presents some
of the documents resulting from National Park Service efforts to
preserve and record important remnants of Alaska's Russian-American
heritage. Included are studies of St. Michael's Cathedral, the Russian
Bishop's House, Russian American Magazin, Seal Islands, Holy Ascension
Orthodox Church and Holy Assumption Orthodox Church.
These studies were undertaken as part of the
National Historic Landmarks program. They combine original research, a
synthesis of historical scholarship, and field documentation to define
the Landmark's historical significance, determine its state of
preservation, and designate appropriate boundaries. A new Landmark study
is also included for Building No. 29, Sitka, which was designated a
National Historic Landmark on May 28, 1987.
The National Park Service has actively worked to
preserve the significant Russian Bishop's House National Historic
Landmark, which is a component of Sitka National Historical Park. The
Russian Bishops' House was acquired in 1972 and has slowly and carefully
been restored to its 1843-53 appearance. A history of the building
prepared as part of a National Historic Landmark study is included
here.
The History Branch, Cultural Resources Division of
the National Park Service, Alaska Regional Office, has prepared this
volume to encourage wider recognition of the National Historic Landmarks
program in Alaska. The Landmarks pose a preservation challenge. It is
hoped that the efforts represented in the following pages will stimulate
creative responses, both public and private, to ensure the future of
these nationally important sites.
Boyd Evison
Regional Director
Alaska Region
National Park Service
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Sitka, ca. 1887.
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