Horseshoe Bay Barns Host Egg Harbor’s 150th Celebration

The Egg Harbor Historical Society is offering a rare opportunity to tour the historic 19th century Horseshoe Bay Farms complex Aug. 27 as part of Egg Harbor’s 150th anniversary celebration.

Former employees and friends of Horseshoe Bay Farms, one of the county’s most picturesque buildings, will conduct tours of the complex. Guests will learn how a large agribusiness was operated during a time when horses and laborers did what tractors do today. Horseshoe Bay Farms was once one of the largest farms in Wisconsin and Door County’s largest employer, producing milk, cherries, and apples. It also hosted a Bull Pen where outstanding steers bred cows for distribution throughout the United States.

Recently unearthed home movie footage of the working farm circa the 1920s will be presented along with hundreds of historic photos archived by the historical society.

The barn is the centerpiece of a full day of discovery running from 10 am – 5 pm, said Helen Curtis, one of the event’s organizers. Miss Wisconsin 2010 Kimberly Sawyer, an Egg Harbor native, will serve as Master of Ceremonies. The Bittorf Brothers will perform country music, Mary Prisco will lead square dancing, tours of the property will be given, and a Ceremonial Native American dance will be demonstrated as well. Historic photos and videos will also be on display.

The iconic barns of Horseshoe Bay Farms. The farm, owned by the Cowles family for generations, was once the largest employer in Door County. Egg Harbor’s sesquicentennial celebration will be held on the grounds Saturday, Aug. 27.

Guests may bring their own picnic supplies and food and set up on the grounds or purchase from a large selection of food from Alpine Resort, Shipwrecked, Trio, Village Café, Villagios, Mojo Rosa’s, or Casey’s. Beer, brats, and other beverages will also be available.

For more information or to register for the picnic visit eggharborwi.com or send an email to [email protected]. Registration is not required but advance registrants will be entered into a drawing for a two-volume set of Egg Harbor family histories, the first publication of the Egg Harbor Historical Society, as well as a dinner for two at Horseshoe Bay Golf Club.

Schedule of Events

August 27, Horseshoe Bay Farms

• Hourly, 10am – 5 pm: Guided tours of the Barn Complex

• 10 am – 5 pm: Displays of historic photos, opportunities to record family histories, local produce and bake sale.

• 10 am – noon: Country music by Egg Harbor’s Bittorf Brothers

• Noon – 2 pm: Square Dancing demonstration

• 2 – 3 pm: Native American Ceremonial dance demonstration

• 3 – 5 pm: Country music by Egg Harbor’s Bittorf Brothers