The Russian Bishop’s House is one of the oldest surviving examples of Russian colonial architecture in North America. Most Sitka sightseeing tours include a visit to the Russian Bishop’s House as well as other top Sitka attractions such as the Alaska Raptor Center, Totem Park, and St. Michael’s Cathedral.
Visitors are free to browse the museum’s first-floor Russian American exhibits on their own. The second-floor bishop’s quarters and the Chapel of the Annunciation can only be visited on a ranger-led tour.
Sitka is located on Baranof Island off the coast of Juneau and is only accessible by ferry, cruise ship, or plane. The Russian Bishop’s House is located at 501 Lincoln Street in downtown Sitka, within walking distance of the St. Michael’s Cathedral and the Sitka Centennial Visitors Center. Sitka’s downtown is small and compact, so most historic sites can be reached by walking, taxi, or bicycle hire from almost anywhere in town.
The best time to visit the Russian Bishop’s House is during the summer months (from May to September) when guided tours are available during museum opening hours. In the winter, tours are by appointment only and must be scheduled in advance.
The Russian Bishop’s House is operated by the National Park Service as part of the Sitka National Historical Park. The park was created to commemorate the 1804 Battle of Sitka—fought between the native Tlingit people and the Russians. The park’s main attraction is the collection of Tlingit and Haida totem poles standing along the park’s coastal Totem Trail. Ranger-led totem hikes are held daily during the summer months and you can also watch Tlingit artists at work in the park’s cultural center.