Historic site information

(1) Alexander Noble House Museum

4167 Main Street, Fish Creek

This Greek Revival farmhouse was built in 1875 and lived in by three generations of the Noble family. You can enjoy a tour of the 10-room home, with new exhibits each year. This museum is a must-see listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Noble House is the starting point for the audio walking tour and seasonal docentled tours, consisting of 23 historic sites.

(2) Anderson Store Museum

3081 Anderson Lane, Ephraim

Opened in 1858, The Anderson Store was owned and operated by the same family for 100 years. In 1958, the property was taken over by the Ephraim Historical Foundation. Visitors can step back in time and see how the store would have looked while still in operation.

(3) Asa Thorp’s Cabin

4189 Main Street, Fish Creek

Asa Thorp, the founder of Fish Creek, established an early pier, warehouse, and sawmill to supply residents and ship captains with supplies and cordwood. Later Asa and Eliza ran the Thorp Hotel, the second oldest in the state. This log cabin, built in 1849, is his original home.

(4) Baileys Harbor History Along The Way

Go back and forth in time by viewing five groupings of historic images along the sidewalks of Baileys Harbor. Visit historyalongtheway.com for the most up-to-date map.

(5) Belgian Heritage Center

1255 County Road DK, Brussels

The Belgian Heritage Center tells the story of the Belgian settlement in Wisconsin and works to preserve unique elements of Belgian culture, architecture and the Walloon language. Also on the campus is a 1894 schoolhouse and convent, a typical Belgian roadside chapel, and historic St. Mary of the Snows Cemetery.

(6) Björklunden Baileys Harbor

Björklunden is the northern campus of Lawrence University. The 425-acre estate is on Lake Michigan in Door County, Wisconsin, just south of Baileys Harbor.

(7) Cana Island Lighthouse

8800 East Cana Island Road Baileys Harbor

Ride a hay wagon over the causeway to explore the island, including the 89-foot-tall tower, the original home of the lighthouse keeper and his family, and the oil house where fuel for the light was stored. Climb the 97 steps of the tower’s spiral staircase for a stunning view from the gallery deck.

(8) Corner of the Past Museum

10310 Fieldcrest Road, Sister Bay

Operated by the Sister Bay Historical Society, Corner of the Past includes the Old Anderson House Museum plus 15 other historical buildings. Machine shed photo gallery features unique images dating back to pioneer settlers.

(9) Death’s Door Maritime Museum

12724 West Wisconsin Bay Road

The Death’s Door Maritime Museum traces the area’s commercial fishing tradition and features a fishing boat, shipwreck and scuba diving exhibits and information on Death’s Door passage.

(10) Door County Bookmobile

Egg Harbor

After a three-year hiatus due to the pandemic, the Egg Harbor Historical Society re-launched the “History on the Move” project to restore and transform a genuine, last remaining, Door County Bookmobile. The new and revised mission and purpose of the Bookmobile focuses on education, history and community.

(11) Door County Granary

92 E. Maple Street Sturgeon Bay

Originally built in 1901, the Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator is the last vestige of a busy, agriculturally-oriented, commercial wharf on the west-waterfront of Sturgeon Bay. Listed on the National Registry of Historic Places, it is being rehabilitated and repurposed as the Door County Granary. The Granary pays homage to Door County’s agricultural heritage and will serve as a living museum, community pavilion, and historic landmark. Expected to open to the public in 2024.

(12) Door County Library

Featuring eight library branches: Baileys Harbor, Egg Harbor, Ephraim, Fish Creek, Forestville, Sister Bay/Liberty Grove, Washington Island and the main branch in Sturgeon Bay. All libraries serve the information needs of children, teens and adults, year-round and seasonal residents, and visitors.

(13) Door County Historical Museum

18 North 4th Avenue, Sturgeon Bay

The Door County Historical Museum has educated locals and visitors alike about the history of the Door Peninsula since 1939. The Museum features a rich and varied collection of Door County artifacts and exhibits, including vintage fire trucks, a fully functional jail cell, and the spectacular Seasons of Life wildlife diorama.

(14) Door County Maritime Museum

120 North Madison Avenue, Sturgeon Bay

Located on Sturgeon Bay’s west-waterfront, the Door County Maritime Museum showcases the area’s rich maritime roots through guided tours, exhibits, artifacts, presentations and is now home to the new Maritime Lighthouse Tower.

(15) Eagle Bluff Lighthouse

10249 Shore Rd, Fish Creek

Brick lighthouse perched atop a 76-foot-high bluff was built in 1868 and guided schooners and steamboats through the Strawberry Channel. It is now a museum with some of the keeper’s original furnishings and artifacts.

(16) Ephraim Fire House Museum

9970 Water Street, Ephraim, WI 54211

Keeping watch over the waters of Eagle Harbor, the Ephraim Fire House Museum features historic fire trucks, fire fighting equipment and memorabilia.

(17) Ephraim Historical Foundation

& Anderson Barn Museum

3060 Anderson Lane, Ephraim

Founded in 1949, the Ephraim Historical Foundation is dedicated to preserving, sustaining and sharing the history, culture and beauty of Ephraim. The Historical Foundation operates a wide variety of historic attractions in Ephraim across six historic buildings. The Anderson Barn Museum is home to an annual feature exhibition and the starting point for all Ephraim Historical Society led walking and tram tours.

(18) Heritage Village at Big Creek

2041 Michigan St, Sturgeon Bay

Eight historic Door County buildings provide a glimpse into the lives of the peninsula’s settlers and an understanding of community. Walking paths, gardens, and the trails of Crossroads at Big Creek adjoin the village.

(19) Horseshoe Bay Farms

7212 Horseshoe Bay Rd., Egg Harbor

In the 1910s the farm was the largest employer in Door County and one of the most innovative dairy operations in the state. It’s now owned by a nonprofit working to rehabilitate the barns and grounds.

(20) Jackson Harbor Maritime Museum

Established in 1978, this collection of buildings located on the site of an original Washington Island fishing community tell the story of islanders and their relationship with the water surrounding them.

(21) Jacobsens Museum

2150 Little Lake Road, Washington Island

Constructed in 1931 by Jens Jacobsen, this vertical cedar log museum contains hand carved ship models, Danish crafts, and other exhibits that tell the history of Washington Island.

(22) Liberty Grove Historical Society Museum

11831 Highway 42, Ellison Bay

Enjoy the iconic view from the top of the hill as you browse the museum grounds of the former Johnson-Hanson Century Farm overlooking beautiful Ellison Bay. Walking paths lead visitors from the Circle of Honor to the Log House all while taking in a collection of carefully maintained historic structures and features of Liberty Grove.

(23) Norb Blei’s Coop at Write On, Door County

4210 Juddville Road, Fish Creek

The most esteemed chronicler of Door County’s artists and characters did most of his writing in a converted chicken coop on his property in Ellison Bay. It now rests on the grounds of Write On, Door County, where you can arrange a visit by emailing info@writeondoorcounty.org.

(26) Plum Island Lighthouse

Plum Island

Built in 1858. Boat tours from Gills Rock go past the lighthouse for viewing and photography.

(27) Pottawatomie Lighthouse

Rock Island

The oldest lighthouse in Wisconsin, built in 1836. The tower and keeper’s house are made from rock quarried on the island. It was named for the Native Americans who inhabited the area and whose name means ‘keepers of the fire.’

(28) The Iverson House

9966 Moravia St, Ephraim

The oldest frame home in Door County, built in 1853. Reverend Andrew Iverson and members of his Moravian congregation who founded Ephraim constructed this home and held early church gatherings in a north bedroom before the church was completed.

(29) The Ridges Sanctuary

8166 Hwy 57, Baileys Harbor Hike the trails and boardwalk through the ridges and swales of Wisconsin’s first land trust for a glimpse at thousands of years of the history of the Lake Michigan shoreline.

(30) Thordarson Boathouse

Rock Island

One of Door County’s most stunning buildings, the gem of Chicago inventor Chester Thordarson’s island escape was completed in 1929 and is considered one of the most historically significant buildings in Wisconsin.

(31) Toft House

8061 Highway 57 Baileys Harbor

The shared home of the Baileys Harbor Historical Society and the Baileys Harbor Community Association, the historic Toft House features historical displays detailing Baileys Harbor’s past, as well as the town information center.

(32) Tornado Memorial Park

8518 County DK, Brussels

The park marks the site of Williamsville, a tiny village wiped off the map by a forest fire on Oct. 8, 1871, the same day the Peshtigo Fire killed thousands of people across Green Bay. It is now part of the Door County Parks System.

(34) Washington Island Historical Archives

910 Main Road, Washington Island

Home of official Town of Washington and school records and articles dating back to 1862, as well as photos, maps, audio tapes and videos, family files and more records.