So you get up to beautiful Door County for a vacation and the weather forecast calls for rainy weather most days you plan to be here. You can always do outdoor things if you’re dressed for the weather,but there’s plenty to do inside, too. Have you ever visited some of the wonderful museums that are spread out throughout the peninsula. They are all so varied and interesting that you could spends hours, even days visiting them.. There you go, that’s the answer to your dilemna when you can’t, or don’t want to be outside. Here are just some of the museums available to you here. Spend some time there and you’ll go home entertained and edified, too. You’ll note that when you stay with us at Birchwood Lodge in Sister Bay, all these places are just short driving trips from the lodge
Historic Noble House(Fish Creek) : Visit a Victorian home and see what Victorian life was like by taking a guided tour or attending a special event at the Historic Noble House. Once the home of Alexander Noble, the home was inherited by his granddaughter, Gertrude Howe. When Gertrude became sick and later died, the home stood empty for a while until it was decided to save this Victorian treasure in 1995. The home and surrounding green space was saved by Virginia Kinsey, long time resident and founder of the Gibraltar Historical Association.
Historical Village at the Crossroads (Sturgeon Bay): Visit the Historical Village at the Crossroads. It is a memorial to Door County as it was from 1880 to 1910 and the people who lived during that time. The little village includes houses with artifacts, a school, a granary and a chapel. There is a garden that provides food to a local pantry and even a privy.
Door County Historical Museum (Sturgeon Bay- (May through October) Harry Dankoler believed in the value of collecting things that were old and worth saving, thus, some important Door County artifacts of historical significance have been preserved and displayed in this museum. The Door County Historical Museum was built during the Great Depression as a WPA project while Franklin D. Roosevelt was president. The building was finished in 1939.
Corner of the Past Old Anderson House Museum (Sister Bay-May to mid-October): The history of Sister Bay has been preserved by the Sister Bay Historical Society. Located at the intersection of State Highway 57 and Fieldcrest Road in Sister Bay, Door County you will find the Corner of the Past and the Old Anderson House Museum. This original family farmhouse belonging to the Anderson family in 1875 and was completely renovated in 1994 including furnishings, photographs and artifacts depicting life in the 1800’s. The original barn there once stood on the property where Birchwood Lodge main building has been erected. There are many farm implements and equipment, plus other buildings that have been preserved from Door County, such as a picker’s shack, a cottage from the 1940’s, a traveling minister’s cabin, and a tool shed.
Door County Maritime Museum (Sturgeon Bay-year round) Sturgeon Bay has a rich maritime history with lighthouses, shipwrecks, boats and numerous shipbuilding companies. In 1969, the Door County Maritime Museum was established. The Museum includes four amazing galleries and an in-water exhibit of a completely restored 1960’s era tug boat that was built in 1919 and served until early 2000.
You have no excuses now to find something interesting to see and do up here when the weather is inclement. Come stay with us at Birchwood Lodge in Sister Bay by calling 866-854-7195, or online at www.birchwoodlodge.com.
