Enough of NYC, Southern Comfort, glossalia, and that guy Poe… I want to know
what BP preservationeers speculate on the preservation of the Dumas Brothel.
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""I loved being a whore, and that offends people." Norma Jean Almodovar, 49,
head of the International Sex Workers Foundation for Art, Culture and
Education, has made a career from such bluster. But being an activist for
prostitutes is less lucrative than her previous job?impersonating a bawdy
Julia Child for her johns. (That was one specialty.)
It's also more controversial here in Butte, Mont., where Almodovar has been
trying to rustle up the funds to fully restore the Dumas, a former brothel
that opened in 1890. After seeing Almodovar on a talk show in 1998, Butte
businessman Rudy Giecek, 57, who had acquired the dilapidated Dumas from its
last madam, contacted her. Using little more than sweat equity, they have
turned the 43?room Victorian building into a museum exploring the history of
prostitution. One day Almodovar would also like to turn the Dumas into her
foundation's "headquarters" (a fancy term for her tiny collective, run on a
shoestring with loans from a New York City john). It may be the only place in
the world written up in both Penthouse and Civilization, the Library of
Congress magazine. When Giecek first explored the dank basement rooms, which
the madams hadn't used since the '40s, he found lipsticks, a 10?minute timer,
chamber pots, an ancient jar of Vaseline. In one room, the bed frame had worn
through the flooring." John Cloud, American Scene, The Oldest Profession Gets
a New Museum, Time, 08/14/2000 p4.
http://www.iswface.org/collection1.html
the following from the website
Dumas Brothel Artifacts Collection
"Adopt a Brick" program
Based on a fund raising technique used by many historical preservation
organizations to restore old buildings and churches, we are offering the
numerous bricks in our historic landmark for "adoption." A master chart will
indicate location of all the bricks, including those lining the infamous
"Venus Alley" behind the Dumas, which are well worn from a 100 years of use.
Prospective 'adoptive parents' may select their brick from a copy of the
chart and for a $100** tax deductible donation, will receive documentation of
the brick, it's colorful history and select a small token of appreciation
from out catalog (brick chip, T-shirt, key chain, foam brick, etc.). The
'parent' [or designated individual] will be listed on the master chart in the
brothel museum. Makes a terrific, fun gift!
The Dumas is the last known example of "Victorian Brothel" Architecture left
in the United States.
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