Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park Travel Page by Confucius

The Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park is really just an old building in Seattle's Pioneer Square*. You can walk there from Chinatown or take the trolley from the waterfront.
Inside you'll meet a humorous park ranger who will talk about fool's gold and introduce some of Seattle's Gold Rush history as part of his half hour presentation.
The museum has many photos of Seattle at the turn of the century but you won't find any real gold here, not even the bricks inside the glass protective case.
(* There is another larger Klondike National Park in Skagway, Alaska that features several old buildings, nature trails, and the Gold Rush Cemetary.)

The answer: Because U.S. park rangers are not allowed to hold real gold.
This is the fool's gold exhibit from the presentation about Seattle's role as an important trading post during the gold rush days of the 1890's.

You can pick up a free detailed brochure with many stories and photos from the Klondike Gold Rush days in Seattle and Alaska.
Also available for free is a seasonal publication published by the park, "The Stampeder" which serves as a resourceful visitor's guide for those seeking to learn more about the Gold Rush and perhaps visit the larger sister park in Skagway, Alaska.