Butte, Mont. – The Dumas Brothel Museum, where tourists could learn about the historic house of ill repute that once occupied the site, is closing permanently because the building is falling down and the owner is ill.
Rudy Giecek says the building he has owned the past 15 years won’t open for this year’s tourist season.
The brothel closed in 1981. It was turned into a museum to preserve the bawdy history of the city’s busy red light district.
Giecek said his health has been faltering and he fears the back wall may collapse, making it unsafe for tourists to enter the building and access a second floor of small bedrooms.
Giecek said the cost of refurbishing the building, coupled with outstanding back taxes and liens, have made it difficult to sell. He fears for the building’s future.
“The Dumas has brought many people from throughout the world to visit Butte, Montana. It will be a huge loss to the history of Butte,” he said.
