Crowds of people from windows stare
But look again, though debonair
They all seem a trifle too 2-D
Well, that's because they're PICTURES, see?
Museum, Gifts, you might stop by
This historical spot on a tourist fly....
This building, set in from the corner of 5th and Broadway is a real eye-catcher with its cantilevered Victorian "turret" (tower) overhanging the entrance. Do you feel 'muggle' eyes on you? Cut out people stare from the windows. It's ok, they don't seem to mind if you stare back.
This structure was named as a Contributing building to the Historical District in the Landmark Historic Nomination (
visit link) which reads:
363A, 363B. Corrington's Gift Shop, 1975. Two-story split log building (north); two-story frame addition(center), combination plywood and clapboard siding, two bay windows on second floor; two-story frame addition (south) features three-fourths octagonal turret with cantilevered tower. South facade features spindles and fretwork on first floor windows; knee corbels and finial above second floor support full pediment with dentil frieze.
A second reference to the building is found in the National Park Service's KLONDIKE GOLD RUSH SKAGWAY, DISTRICT OF ALASKA — 1884-1912: Building the Gateway to the Klondike Historical and Preservation Data APPENDIX BUILDINGS WITHIN THE SKAGWAY HISTORIC DISTRICT
(
visit link)
It starts with the following 'disclaimer':
"The entire town of Skagway is included in the Skagway and White Pass National Historic Landmark. This landmark designation is commemorative in nature, and it provides a review period for all federal activities and allows for federal historic preservation incentives for owners of all historic properties in Skagway."
However, the building rates an entry with a touch of detail:
CORRINGTON'S GIFT SHOP
2 H, I (Historical District Map)
1975, 1977
Dennis Corrington built the two-story gift shop, museum of Eskimo art, and residence in 1975 and (the south half) in 1977.
The current Corrington's is self-described on the Buy Alaska website (
visit link)
Corrington Alaskan Ivory
Located in the heart of Skagway on Broadway at 5th Avenue and home to the "free" History of Alaska museum. The Corringtons have been in business at this location for 38 years. Dennis Corrington and his daughter Sherry make trading trips each year to Alaskan Eskimo villages to bring you the largest selection of Native Alaskan art direct from the artists to provide the most attractive prices in Southeast Alaska. Corringtons features Native artistic creations using materials of Alaska: fresh and fossilized walrus ivory, soapstone, jade, mammoth bone and tusk, whale & walrus bone as well as hand-crafted ulus, wooden bowls and totemic art. Also featured is the largest selection of naturally shed moose antler sculptures by Alaskan artist Bob Merry, an exclusive selection of hand-woven baleen baskets by Alaskan artist Cheri Ables, hand crafted Totem Poles from southeast Alaska by award winning artists Teddie and Pat Moore and collectibles from Lladro and Swarovski.
Leave some free time to enjoy the CORRINGTON MUSEUM OF ALASKAN HISTORY depicting the history of alaska on 32 scrimshawed walrus tusks. The museum is free and also is the home of the world's largest baleen basket.
Why We're Alaskan:
The Corringtons began business in Nome, Alaska in 1970 with the "Arctic Trading Post" dealing directly with local and Native artists. Corrington Alaskan Ivory continues this tradition today by providing an outlet for Native Alaskan artwork.