Door County Maritime Museum Kicks Off Annual Campaign

The Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society will kick off its annual fundraising campaign on Saturday, Oct. 18, at Cana Island Lighthouse near Baileys Harbor.

Each year, the museum makes an annual Anchor Appeal to raise capital to help meet the anticipate shortfall in its operating budget. This year’s goal is $115,000.

“It costs the museum $535 a day to keep the doors open,” said Trudy Herbst, the museum’s Director of Development. “The museum is totally self-supporting and relies on admissions, store sales, memberships and the generosity of donors to exist.”

This year “Freshwater Fury” is the museum’s featured exhibit and Herbst felt Cana Island, which has withstood many of Lake Michigan’s strongest gales, would be an ideal spot to launch the campaign.

Volunteers will lead the “Step Up to the Light” event. They will be soliciting donations both before Saturday and on the day of the event, which will run from 9 am – 5 pm. With each donation, the fundraiser moves higher up the Cana tower.

In lieu of admission to the island on Saturday, each visitor will be asked to make a donation to the campaign. Food and beverages will be served. Herbst said pulled pork sandwiches and whitefish chowder are on the menu along with hot apple cider.

Cana Island is located north of Baileys Harbor off County Highway Q on Cana Island Road.

For more information contact Herbst at the museum in Sturgeon Bay, 120 N. Madison Ave., or call 920.743.5958.