Narrated Bus Tour of Door County’s Historical Taverns is Sept. 24

Institute Saloon. Photo by Len Villano.

Back by popular demand, the Door County Historical Society invites people to “There’s a Tavern in the Town,” a narrated bus tour of Door County’s Historical Taverns on Sept. 24. Each rural crossroads had three things in common: a church, a school and a tavern. Within a stone’s throw, you could get education, salvation and…damnation!

Stopping at five old time saloons, tour-goers will explore Wisconsin’s tavern history as featured in author Jim Draeger’s Bottom’s Up! and have a wonderful lunch, too. Draeger claims, “Bars are a means to learn about Wisconsin’s people…Since Wisconsin’s territorial days, there has been great moral ambiguity about the tavern and its proper place in our culture. Some see the tavern as a symbol of freedom and enjoyment, others as a den of corruption and vice. Maintaining the balance between our needs for libation, socialization, and entertainment with our desire for moral order, accountability, and moderation has been difficult and the pendulum has historically swung to both extremes…Due to this struggle, the bar is an architecturally complex and ambiguous space, and its evolution over time is both fascinating and turbulent.”

The bus departs from the Heritage Village at Big Creek (2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay) on Sept. 24 at 10 am and will return about 3 pm; plan to arrive 15 minutes early. Guests will enjoy a broasted chicken and ham luncheon with all the trimmings. Tickets are available until the bus sells out.

The program fee is $65; member fee is $60. To make reservations, mail a check to the Door County Historical Society office P. O. Box 71, Sturgeon Bay 54235. For more information, call 920.421.2332 or email [email protected].