Navigation

Letter to the Editor: Concerned If Library and Museum Are Separated

I have concerns about any renovation of the Door County Library, including a separation of it from the Miller Art Museum, if that’s in the plans.

The library in Sturgeon Bay has been part of the community since the early part of the 1900s. During the early 1970s, a new county library was being planned. Gerhard and Ruth Miller – being involved in

art exhibition, education and creative enrichment in the visual arts – had an idea to create an art center at this same time. 

Regarding this from an article dated July 1, 2012, in the Peninsula Pulse: “While on a trip to Italy in 1970, he [Gerhard] thought of creating an art center in the new county library being planned in Sturgeon Bay. That first room, with space for only 30 paintings, was funded entirely by the Millers, on condition that the public donate money to build the library.”

The Miller Art Museum has been a strong point of the library contributing to the enrichment of students and the public in the visual arts. I feel that this art center should always be part of the library when plans are made for future renovation projects. The people using the library have always had a strong interest in the cultural pursuits of the peninsula, and it makes sense to combine the creative arts appreciated from the art museum with the resources of the library. 

If there is a plan to take the art museum out of the present building and move it to a location separate from the library, it would be a huge mistake because this wasn’t the intent of the original dedication. Being an artist and visitor to the Miller, I’m concerned and think this would take away the success of what we have now. 

If anyone has updated information, please email me at [email protected].

Gayle Brunner
Algoma, Wisconsin