The Dumas Brothel Museum in Butte, Montana -- a brothel from 1890 until 1982 and a tourist attraction from 1989 until last year -- has perhaps closed its doors for good. Owner Rudy Giecek has offered several explanations for the shuttering of this attraction: his health is poor (he's suffered three strokes), he has no money to pay his taxes and liens, he's afraid that the back wall of the building will collapse. Giecek, who purchased the Brothel from its last madame and decorated it with period artifacts (and showroom dummies) from his private collection, has had a history of controversy with the museum, including a prolonged legal battle with his former business partner, the International Sex Workers for Art, Culture, and Education. The Dumas is reported to be haunted and have still undiscovered secret tunnels and passages, but that hasn't helped its appeal on the real estate market. For the past year Giecek has tried to sell the museum (with the showroom dummies), but no one has met his price. He expects it will become the property of Butte, which has expressed no public interest in re-opening it. Giecek believes the Dumas will be torn down. Update: The museum was broken into in late May 2005 by thieves, who carted off a number of valuable items, including historic sex implements. Police are investigating. [Thanks to tipster Laird Carter]

[05/08/2005]