Neighbors question parks' plans for Wickersham House

"Cutting down trees does make the house less attractive and inviting," said neighbor Terry Hoskinson. "I certainly don't want to see a parking lot at the Wickersham."

Southeast Area Parks superintendent Mike Eberhardt said the improvements are modest.

"We have done an interpretive plan for the building, and we are going to redo the lawn back to a more historical state," he said.

Eberhardt is responsible for what's known officially as the Wickersham State Historic Site in downtown Juneau at 213 Seventh St., three blocks above the Capitol.

Some cottonwood trees are nearing the end of their lives and will have to be removed, he said.

"These are very old cottonwoods that have been pruned beyond their useful life," Eberhardt said.

Mountain ash, a smaller tree that was on the site originally, will replace the cottonwoods, he said.

Eberhardt said he's holding off cutting any trees and will meet with neighbors to explain the plans.

The House of Wickersham was built in 1898 as a home and purchased by the state in 1984. In between, it was home to prominent Juneau residents such as Judge James Wickersham, appointed by President William McKinley as a district judge for Alaska, and Bartlett Thane of the Alaska Gastineau Mining Co.

Wickersham was elected as Alaska's delegate to Congress. He filed the first statehood bill and helped establish the University of Alaska.

After Wickersham's death in 1939, the house passed to his wife, and then to his niece, Ruth Allman, who lived in it for decades before the state bought it.

Eberhardt said the cottonwoods are old by cottonwood standards, and they're not historic.

"Judge Wickersham didn't plant the cottonwood," he said. "My guess is Ruth Allman did; we don't have any record."

For safety reasons, they'll have to come down because they rot from the inside and could fall without warning.

"They're old, and it's time," he said.

Neighbors also have concerns over expanded parking. The house has only parallel street parking and most visitors arrive by foot or cab.

Eberhardt said diagonal parking is planned.

Frederick Hoskinson questioned the need for more parking.

"It's on the walking tour, but its not like down by the trinket shops so it's usually those who are interested in looking around," he said.