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Category: History

Door County is rich in history, from its most prominent founding citizens to the business leaders who embraced tourism to make it the destination it is today. It’s a history of orchards, farming, and fishermen, but also of potters, artists, and writers. But more than anything, it’s a history told in the lives of the remarkable people who’ve called it home for a spell or a lifetime. Door County Pulse tells them all.

  • Portraying Famous Women of History

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    Historical impressionist Jessica Michna is widely known for her impressions of First Ladies, including Abigail Adams, Edith Wilson, Dolley Madison and Eleanor Roosevelt. As of this May, Michna has been portraying historic women for 16 years. When she first began in 2000 she was already working a full-time job, which limited her availability and ability […]

  • Door County History in Pictures: Schram Hall, Baileys Harbor

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    The building originally known as Schram Hall in Baileys Harbor celebrated its centenary in September 2008, although in 2008 and now it is two separate businesses – Harbor Fish Market & Grille and Custard’s Last Stan. The building was erected in 1908 by August Schram, who operated a tavern and dance hall. August died from […]

  • Celebrate Camp Meenahga at Peninsula State Park

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    This year marks the 100th anniversary of the founding of Camp Meenahga (1916-1948). To celebrate this historic camp, visit Eagle Terrace at Peninsula State Park on Aug. 2-3, 10 am – 1 pm. Look for the white and blue tent. At this event, learn about the camp, see Meenahga’s 1932 Woody Station Wagon, greet camp […]

  • Door County Antique and Vintage Market Returns to Gibraltar School July 28-30

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    The Door County Antique and Vintage Market comes to Gibraltar School in Fish Creek for its 42nd Annual Sale on July 28-30. Over the years, this sale has become a Door County summer tradition, drawing both locals and tourists. The event has its own tradition of contributing to the community. The Sister Bay Lions Club […]

  • Sturgeon Bay High School Reunion for Men Who Graduated in ’66 or Earlier

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    Sturgeon Bay High School 2016 Men’s Half Century Club Reunion will be held Aug. 17 at the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club. Social hour begins at 11:30 am and lunch is at 12:30 pm. This 46th annual reunion is open to all men who graduated/attended Sturgeon Bay High School 50 or more years ago. Invitations are […]

  • Cana Island Lighthouse. 1913.

    Oh, the Keeper’s Life for Me: 164 Years of Lighthouse History

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    Baileys Harbor, rich with lighthouses today, is lucky to have any at all, considering its initial venture in 1852. Everyone knows the village’s origin: The story of Captain Justice Bailey, who chanced upon the harbor as refuge from a storm and reported the rich resources of stone and timber to Milwaukee businessman Alanson Sweet. Sweet, […]

  • Door County History in Pictures: Hotel Swoboda

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    Almost a century of lodging in Sturgeon Bay took place on this corner, beginning in 1868 when the three-story Northwestern House opened to the public. It included a large dance floor on the upper floor, five sample rooms for visiting salesman to show off their wares to potential customers, a barber shop, a harness shop […]

  • Ephraim’s One-Room Schoolhouse Comes to Life

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    The first public school in Ephraim – and in Door County – was a small log structure established in 1857. The school was located behind Reverend Andreas Iverson’s home; the Moravian minister had observed a need for education in his community and donated the land and building to fill that need. Pauline Larsen was the […]

  • Unearthing Artifacts: Evidence of Door County’s Earliest Settlers

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      Victoria Dirst wanted to grow up to be an archaeologist, and she did — spending 21 years with the Department of Natural Resources. Her job was to investigate sites where building was proposed to make sure construction wouldn’t cover any archaeological treasures. “I could pretty much tell from looking at a site if there […]

  • American Pickers Return to Wisconsin Looking for Valuable Antiques

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    Mike Wolfe, Frank Fritz and their team are excited to return to Wisconsin in August to film episodes of the hit series American Pickers, a documentary series that explores the fascinating world of antique “picking” on the History Channel. The show follows Mike and Frank, two of the most skilled pickers in the business, as […]

  • “Cherries! Cherries! Cherries!” is Next Sevastopol Historical Society Presentation

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    Sevastopol Historical Society presents “Cherries! Cherries! Cherries!” on Aug. 1 at 7 pm at the Sevastopol Town Hall. There was a time when Door County ruled the nation when it came to the small red fruit. The soil on the northern part of the peninsula was not great for farming, but early settler Joseph Zettel […]

  • Door County History in Pictures: Fordson F Model Tractor

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    Fordson was a trade name for tractors built by Henry Ford’s company in the first half of the 20th century. Ford launched the Fordson F model tractor in the USA in 1917 and soon dominated the market due to low production costs from Ford’s mass production principles. Three quarters of a million units of the […]

  • Historical Society Presents Program on Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton

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    The Door County Historical Society presents Susan & Elizabeth: A Friendship of Consequence, a compilation of excerpts from the speeches, writings and letters of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton. This historical program is written and performed by Chris Milton portraying Susan B. Anthony and Susan Kohout portraying Elizabeth Cady Stanton. The presentation will […]

  • Historical Society Presents a History of Door County Theater

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    Learn about the history of Door County theater from two of the county’s oldest acts – Northern Sky Theater and Peninsula Players at the Door County Historical Society’s presentation on July 17 at 2 pm in the Collins Learning Center in Sturgeon Bay. Peninsula Players’ Business Manager Audra Baakari Boyle and Northern Sky Theater’s Director […]

  • Fly-In Fish Boil, “Hate Mail” & More Weekend Plans

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    Whether you enjoy eating tasty treats, listening to talented musicians, or biking Door County’s back roads, there’s something for you to do this weekend. Check out model trains, amazing artwork or the monarch butterfly nursery to see the kinds of unique opportunities Door County has to offer. Friday, July 15 Symphony Concert Take in performances […]

  • Gibraltar Talks Programs Focuses on Fish Creek Tragedy, Sinking of the Hackley

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    Come to the Gibraltar Talks program on July 14 at Fish Creek’s Old Town Hall to hear the story of the sinking of the Hackley. The wonderful storyteller, Mr. Dickson, will set the mood for the story. Mike Burda, one of the three divers from the 1981 salvage attempt, will bring first-hand answers to many […]

  • Door County History in Pictures: Carmen Hotel

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    The Carmen Hotel in downtown Sturgeon Bay began life in 1895 as the Union Hotel. The hotel changed ownership several times, and became the Carmen with the purchase of the hotel in 1927 by Mr. and Mrs. George Larscheid of Green Bay. They named the hotel after their daughter Carmen, who would grow up to […]

  • Celebrate Camp Meenahga’s 100th Anniversary with Peninsula State Park

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    Celebrate the 100th anniversary of the founding of Camp Meenahga at Peninsula State Park with a birthday party on July 12, 10 am to noon. One hundred years ago on July 12, two determined mothers from St. Louis established a girls camp at Peninsula State Park (1916-1948). At the party, meet founder Alice Orr Clark […]

  • Belgian Heritage Center to Hold Traditional Fish Boil

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    There will be a traditional Door County fish boil at the Belgian Heritage Center on July 16 at 5 pm. Proceeds will help support the Belgian Heritage Center and its mission of preserving and promoting the unique history of this area. The meal will feature trout, potatoes, onion, coleslaw, dessert and coffee for $14. Beer, […]

  • Jacksonport Historical Society Holds Annual Dinner at Lakeside Park

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    Join the Jacksonport Historical Society’s Annual Dinner Meeting on July 20 at Lakeside Park in Jacksonport. Help celebrate the town’s storied fishing history by enjoying a traditional Door County fish boil, with live music provided by Dale Graf. There will be the Money Bag Purse Raffle, as well as Jacksonport Historical Society (JHS) raffle tickets. […]