In 1890, French Canadian brothers Arthur and Joseph Nadeau built a house of prostitution in Butte, Montana. Designed specifically as a brothel, each room featured both a door and a window which allowed customers to window shop. The Dumas served as a brothel until 1982.Today it is a small, private museum which is still in the processing of being renovated.
The Victorian brick building may be the last example of this type of Victorian brothel architecture in the United States. With regard to terminology, a parlor house was the top of the line house of prostitution with handsome furnishings. The Dumas was a parlor house. The term “brothel” referred to any common house of prostitution. The crib is the low-end of prostitution.
The building is notable for its large, open wrap-around second-floor balcony and skylights. The upper floor contains larger parlor rooms and a suite for the higher paying customers.
Museums 101
Note: The Dumas was sold at auction last week for back taxes. While the new owners have an interest in history, there is no indication if they wish to continue to operate it as a museum.
Museums 101 is a series of photo tours of museum exhibits. More from this series:
Museums 101: The Historic Dumas Brothel Museum (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Wah Chong Tai Merchantile (Photo Diary
Museums 101: Wagons in Yellowstone (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Government Buildings in a Mining Town (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Horse-Drawn Wagons in Fort Steele (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: The Cheap Cash Store (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Music Machines (Photo Diary)
Museums 101: Southern California Mining (Photo Diary)