Door County History Days Schedule of Events
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MONDAY, JUNE 20
History Days Kickoff
Door County Maritime Museum
120 N. Madison Ave., Sturgeon Bay
9-10 am. The official start of Door County History Days at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay. Representatives from participating organizations throughout Door County, members of the media and other stakeholders will gather for a meet-and-greet, the debut of the Door County Heritage Map and remarks by Heritage Alliance of Door County chair Cody Schreck, Destination Door County CEO Julie Gilbert and Wisconsin Historical Society director Christian Øverland.
Egg Harbor History Center Displays
Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion and Library
7845 Church St., Egg Harbor
8 am – 4 pm. Displays and historical photos of the history of Egg Harbor town and village, including an exhibit of the Door County Bookmobile that the historical society is working to restore. Enjoy short historical videos about the bookmobile, Horseshoe Bay Farms and other area history. Physical materials, documents, oral histories and artifacts are also available for exploration.
Still Life: Storytelling and Secret Messages
Miller Art Museum
107 S. 4th Ave., Sturgeon Bay
10:30 am. Highlighting works from the Miller Art Museum’s permanent collection as they relate to master works. Curator Helen del Guidice takes you on the journey of still life through time. Explore how the art of visual storytelling through arranged objects has endured, been explored by art movements throughout history and remains relevant today.
Book Talk and Panel Discussion
Virtual, doorcountylibrary.org/we_will_always_be_here
2-3:30 pm. Authors Kristen Whitson and Jenny Kalvaitis are joined by Debra Anderson, director of UW-Green Bay’s Archives and Area Research Center, to discuss the book We Will Always Be Here: A guide to exploring and understanding the history of LGBTQ+ Activism in Wisconsin.
History of the Ida Bay Preserve
Crossroads at Big Creek
2041 Michigan St., Sturgeon Bay
6:30-8 pm. Ida Bay Preserve has been a First Nations seasonal encampment, logging site, quarry, farm, orchard, migrant camp, shop and resort. This property is a microcosm of the cultural heritage of Door County. Held in the lecture hall of the Collins Learning Center. Free.
Rural Family Farm Life
Liberty Grove Historical Society
11831 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay
7 pm. “A Life on Lakeview: The Charney Family.” Join Ron Charney, Joyce Charney, Marie Skrobot and Mary Ackerman as they reminisce about the Charney family, whose members called the south end of Lakeview Road their home. A limited edition of the book A Life on Lakeview, written by Cynthia Oliver and Marie Skrobot, will be available for a $10 donation.
TUESDAY, JUNE 21
Egg Harbor History Center Displays
Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion and Library
7845 Church St., Egg Harbor
8 am – 4 pm. Displays and historical photos of the history of Egg Harbor town and village, including an exhibit of the Door County Bookmobile that the historical society is working to restore. Enjoy short historical videos about the bookmobile, Horseshoe Bay Farms and other area history. Physical materials, documents, oral histories and artifacts are also available for exploration.
Craft Hour
M3
142 S. 3rd Ave., Sturgeon Bay
9:30-10:30 am. Take an ordinary piece of wood and turn it into an exuberant expression of yourself. Paint and embellishments will be provided. Free.
History Talks: Door County Granary
Door County Library
107 S. 4th Ave., Sturgeon Bay
10 am. Join Tim Stone to learn more about the history, preservation and future of the historical Teweles and Brandeis granary. The Teweles and Brandeis families aspired to the American dream, building a local grain elevator in 1901 that helped launch the families’ adventures in the new world.
A House in Mourning
Alexander Noble House Museum
4167 Main St., Fish Creek
10 am – 3 pm. Get a glimpse of Victorian mourning etiquette. Handkerchiefs etched in black lace, mourning attire, dearly departed cards and all the customs associated with the proper funeral will be displayed. Many of the customs have vanished, but they still influence our culture in small ways today. Stop for a visit at Fish Creek’s oldest wood-frame residence.
History of Horseshoe Bay Farms
Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion
7845 Church St., Egg Harbor
11 am. The History Center at the Kress Pavilion will show historical videos of Horseshoe Bay Farms and related history. Seating is limited to 20 people.
Ephraim History from the Water
1-3 pm
A guided kayak tour of the Ephraim harbor. Make reservations through the Peninsula Kayak Company website at peninsulakayakcompany.com. Learn about shipwrecks, forgotten docks and much more!
Horseshoe Bay Farms Tour
1:30-3 pm. Join a guided tour of the rich history and future vision of Horseshoe Bay Farms, which was once the largest employer in Door County and one of the most innovative farming operations in Wisconsin.
Video: History of the Alpine Resort
Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion
7845 Church St., Egg Harbor
2 pm. Viewing of a video of historical photos and events at the Alpine Resort, narrated by former owner Bill Bertschinger. Seating is limited to 20 people.
The Artist Signature
Miller Art Museum
107 S. 4th Ave., Sturgeon Bay
5-6:30 pm. An open discussion with curator Helen del Guidice and artist Craig Blietz. Do you sign your artwork? Where and why? Enjoy entertaining anecdotes about the signatures of notable figures such as Pablo Picasso and Michelangelo. Contribute your point of view about how various art media approach the artist signature, from printmaking to painting, from ceramic to sculpture. Free.
WEDNESDAY, JUNE 22
Egg Harbor History Center Displays
Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion and Library
7845 Church St., Egg Harbor, Egg Harbor
8 am – -4 pm. Displays and historical photos of the history of Egg Harbor town and village, including an exhibit of the Door County Bookmobile that the historical society is working to restore. Enjoy short historical videos about the bookmobile, Horseshoe Bay Farms and other area history. Physical materials, documents, oral histories, and artifacts are also available for exploration.
A House in Mourning
Alexander Noble House Museum
4167 Main St.reet, Fish Creek
10 am – -3 pm. Get a glimpse of Victorian mourning etiquette. Handkerchiefs etched in black lace, mourning attire, dearly departed cards, and all the customs associated with the proper funeral will be displayed. Many of the customs have vanished, but they still influence our culture in small ways today. Stop for a visit at Fish Creek’s oldest wood- frame residence.
Guided Maritime Tours
Death’s Door Maritime Museum
12724 W. Wisconsin Bay Road, Ellison Bay
10 am – -5 pm. Stop in for guided tours of the Door County Maritime Museum’s Gill’s Rock outpost.
Creating the Boynton Chapel Exhibit and Discussion
M3
142 S. 3rd Ave.nue, Sturgeon Bay
10:30 am. Winifred Boynton created the Boynton Chapel as a way of perpetuating peace in the world. Detailed drawings by Boynton will be on display to giveshow guests a closer glimpse atof the artistic process in creating this legendary Door County landmark. Free.
Wrecked: Ephraim’s Maritime Triumphs and Tragedies
Anderson Barn Museum
3060 Anderson Lane, Ephraim
1-2 pm. Learn about the five known shipwrecks off the shores of Ephraim, and see how the lake has impacted thousands of years of human history in Eagle Harbor.
An Afternoon with Jens and Jeannie
Jacobsen Museum
2150 Little Lake Road, Washington Island
2-4 pm. Welcome retired docent Jeannie Hutchins back to the Jacobsen Museum on her 89th birthday.
Egg Harbor History Center Displays
Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion and Library
7845 Church St., Egg Harbor
8 am – 4 pm. Displays and historical photos of the history of Egg Harbor town and village, including an exhibit of the Door County Bookmobile that the historical society is working to restore. Enjoy short historical videos about the bookmobile, Horseshoe Bay Farms and other area history. Physical materials, documents, oral histories and artifacts are also available for exploration.
A House in Mourning
Alexander Noble House Museum
4167 Main St., Fish Creek
10 am – 3 pm. Get a glimpse of Victorian mourning etiquette at Fish Creek’s oldest wood-frame residence. Handkerchiefs etched in black lace, mourning attire, dearly departed cards and all the customs associated with the proper funeral will be displayed. Many of the customs have vanished, but they still influence our culture in small ways today.
The Boats of Jens Jacobsen
Jacobsen Museum
2150 Little Lake Road, Washington Island
10 am – 4 pm. Jacobsen Museum founder Jens Jacobsen started making boat models while staffing the Pottawatomie Lighthouse on Rock Island in his 20s. Learn what we know about the stories of these sailing vessels.
Cana Island Lighthouse Tours
8800 E. Cana Island Road, Baileys Harbor
10 am – 5 pm. Guided tours are available.
History Speaks: Sport: Ship Dog of the Great Lakes
Ephraim Village Hall
9996 Water St., Ephraim
10:30-11:30 am. Discover the true story of Sport from author Pamela Cameron, who discusses a dog who sailed aboard the lighthouse tender Hyacinth in the early 1900s, visiting lighthouses such as Eagle Bluff in Peninsula State Park. Free fun bag for families (while supplies last). Advance registration is appreciated. Call 920.854.9688 to register.
Video: History of the Alpine Resort
Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion
7845 Church St., Egg Harbor
11 am. Viewing of a video of historical photos and events at the Alpine Resort, narrated by former owner Bill Bertschinger. Seating is limited to 20 people.
Horseshoe Bay Farms Tour
Horseshoe Bay Farms
7212 Horseshoe Bay Road, Egg Harbor
1:30-2:30 pm. Join a guided tour of the rich history and future vision of Horseshoe Bay Farms, which was once the largest employer in Door County and one of the most innovative farming operations in Wisconsin. Register at horseshoebayfarms.org
Video: History of Horseshoe Bay Farms
Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion
7845 Church St., Egg Harbor
2 pm. The History Center at the Kress Pavilion will show historical videos of Horseshoe Bay Farms and related history. Seating is limited to 20 people.
Fish Boil Fundraiser
Liberty Grove Historical Society
11831 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay
4-8 pm. Enjoy a Door County fish boil at this event to support the society’s preservation efforts.
Mocktails and Miller
M3
142 S. 3rd Ave., Sturgeon Bay
5-6:30 pm. Share your favorite stories of Gerhard CF Miller, one of the fathers of Door County art. Free.
Sister Bay Stories: History of Bunda’s Department Store
Koessl Barn at Corner of the Past Museum
10310 Fieldcrest Road, Sister Bay
7 pm. This talk by Janie Denis of On Deck Clothing Co. will bring to life a founding Sister Bay family, Mary and Wenzel Bunda. The year is 1888.
FRIDAY, JUNE 24
Egg Harbor History Center Displays
Donald and Carol Kress Pavilion and Library
7845 Church St., Egg Harbor
8 am – 2 pm. Displays and historical photos of the history of Egg Harbor town and village, including an exhibit of the Door County Bookmobile that the historical society is working to restore. Enjoy short historical videos about the bookmobile, Horseshoe Bay Farms and other area history. Physical materials, documents, oral histories and artifacts are also available for exploration.
A House in Mourning
Alexander Noble House Museum
4167 Main St., Fish Creek
10 am – 3 pm. Get a glimpse of Victorian mourning etiquette. Handkerchiefs etched in black lace, mourning attire, dearly departed cards and all the customs associated with the proper funeral will be displayed. Many of the customs have vanished, but they still influence our culture in small ways today. Stop for a visit at Fish Creek’s oldest wood-frame residence.
Horseshoe Bay Farms Tour
Horseshoe Bay Farms
7212 Horseshoe Bay Road, Egg Harbor
10:30 am – 12 pm. Join a guided tour of the rich history and future vision of Horseshoe Bay Farms, which was once the largest employer in Door County and one of the most innovative farming operations in Wisconsin. Register at horseshoebayfarms.org
Book Signing: Sport: Ship Dog of the Great Lakes
Door County Maritime Museum
120 N. Madison Ave., Sturgeon Bay
11 am – 2 pm. Book signing for Sport: Ship Dog of the Great Lakes. Sport was a dog who sailed aboard the lighthouse tender Hyacinth in the early 1900s, visiting lighthouses such as Eagle Bluff in Peninsula State Park.
Wrecked: Ephraim’s Maritime Triumphs and Tragedies
Anderson Barn Museum
3060 Anderson Lane, Ephraim
1-2 pm. Learn about the five known shipwrecks off the shores of Ephraim, and see how the lake has impacted thousands of years of human history in Eagle Harbor.
Photography Exhibit: What’s My Pride?
M3
142 S. 3rd Ave., Sturgeon Bay
Everyone has something to be proud of, so share yours and document it at the selfie station. Take a stroll around the gallery to view the What’s My Pride? exhibit on display, in partnership with Open Door Pride, at M3 every Saturday, 10 am – 2 pm, during June.
SATURDAY, JUNE 25
Hanson House Tours
2022 Utah St., Sturgeon Bay
10 am – 3 pm. Tour the 1856 Hanson House and view demonstrations.
A House in Mourning
Alexander Noble House Museum
4167 Main St., Fish Creek
10 am – 3 pm. Get a glimpse of Victorian mourning etiquette at Fish Creek’s oldest wood-frame residence. Handkerchiefs etched in black lace, mourning attire, dearly departed cards and all the customs associated with the proper funeral will be displayed. Many of the customs have vanished, but they still influence our culture in small ways today.
Taxidermy Live
Door County Historical Museum
18 N. 4th Ave., Sturgeon Bay
10 am – 3 pm. Master taxidermist Mike Orthober demonstrates taxidermy.
Season-Opening Exhibits, Hikes and Book Release
Liberty Grove Historical Society
11831 Hwy 42, Ellison Bay
10 am – 4 pm. Gust Klenke beekeeping exhibit and self-guided fallow field hike in conjunction with the Door County North Fair. Book release and signing for Living in God’s Country.
Ephraim History from the Water
1-3 pm. A guided kayak tour of the Ephraim Harbor. Make reservations through the Peninsula Kayak Company website at peninsulakayakcompany.com. Learn about shipwrecks, forgotten docks and much more!
SUNDAY, JUNE 26
A House in Mourning
Alexander Noble House Museum
4167 Main St., Fish Creek
10 am – 3 pm. Get a glimpse of Victorian mourning etiquette at Fish Creek’s oldest wood-frame residence. Handkerchiefs etched in black lace, mourning attire, dearly departed cards and all the customs associated with the proper funeral will be displayed. Many of the customs have vanished, but they still influence our culture in small ways today.
Bread and Booyah
Namur Belgian Heritage Foundation
1255 Cty DK, Brussels
11 am – 1 pm. Enjoy the Belgian specialty booyah, plus bread, dessert and a beverage. View the premiere of the History of Belgian Booyah video, showing 11 am – 1 pm in the schoolhouse, and at 1 pm in the Belgian Heritage Center. $12 for adults, $8 children ages 4-12.
