Door County Maritime Museum | Door County

The Door County Maritime Museum in Wisconsin is a multi-site attraction preserving and showcasing the maritime heritage of Door County and the Great Lakes. It consists of three distinct locations: the main museum in Sturgeon Bay, the historic Cana Island Lighthouse near Baileys Harbor, and the Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock. Together, these sites offer a comprehensive and interactive exploration of shipbuilding, commercial fishing, navigation, lighthouse history, and the human stories behind the Great Lakes’ maritime legacy.

1. Main Museum – Sturgeon Bay

Location: 120 N Madison Ave, Sturgeon Bay, WI
Open: Year-round (hours vary seasonally; typically 9 AM–5 PM from May to October)

Overview:
This museum is located right on the working waterfront of Sturgeon Bay, offering not just exhibitions but real-time views of shipyards, passing vessels, and historic harbors. It features a modern multi-floor gallery space and the Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower.

Major Attractions:

Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower
A 10-story vertical museum and observation tower, opened in 2021. Each level explores a different theme related to Door County’s maritime identity:

Geology of the Niagara Escarpment

Shipbuilding and shipyards

Commercial fishing techniques and industry

Historic and current lighthouse functions

Maritime safety and Coast Guard presence

Navigation technologies and tools

Recreational boating history

Underwater shipwrecks and sonar technology

Local maritime culture and traditions

The top floor serves as an enclosed observation deck with panoramic views of the waterfront, bridges, and lake

Museum Exhibits
The permanent and rotating exhibits span the following:

Baumgartner Gallery: Detailed models of lighthouses and ships, along with lens technology like Fresnel lenses

Peterson Gallery: Focused on shipbuilding, this gallery traces the evolution of boat construction from indigenous dugouts to massive lake freighters

Roehn Asher Gallery: Covers shipwrecks, rescue missions, early dive equipment, and maritime dogs that served aboard vessels

Hands-On Experiences

Interactive navigation and steering simulators

Authentic foghorn activation station

Ship communication radio room

Submarine-style periscope facing the dry docks

Engine room mock-ups with working parts

Tugboat John Purves

A fully restored 149-foot Great Lakes tugboat, originally launched in 1919

Accessible via guided tours only (typically May–October)

The tour allows guests to explore the engine room, crew quarters, wheelhouse, and galley

Tours run 40–45 minutes and are led by expert docents who explain life aboard and historical missions

Restrictions apply (not wheelchair accessible; steep stairs and tight passages)

2. Cana Island Lighthouse – Baileys Harbor

Location: End of Cana Island Road, accessible via a natural causeway (can flood seasonally)
Open: Late May through late October (weather-dependent)

Overview:
Cana Island Lighthouse is one of the most photographed and visited landmarks in Door County. Built in 1869, it served as a beacon for mariners passing through Lake Michigan and the treacherous waters of Death’s Door.

Highlights:

89-foot-tall tower (97 spiral steps) with panoramic views of Lake Michigan

Keeper’s house restored with period furnishings

Oil house and barn with interpretive signage

Fresnel lens displays and educational kiosks

Hay wagon shuttle service available during high water periods

Visitors can explore both the restored interiors and walk the island’s perimeter for coastal views and picnic spots.

3. Death’s Door Maritime Museum – Gills Rock

Location: 12724 W Wisconsin Bay Rd, Gills Rock, WI
Open: May through October (limited hours)

Overview:
Situated at the tip of the Door Peninsula, this museum focuses on the commercial fishing industry and the dangerous strait known as Death’s Door-the meeting point of Green Bay and Lake Michigan.

Highlights:

Historic 1930s wooden tugboat Hope preserved on site

Exhibits about shipwrecks in the Death’s Door passage

Historical fishing equipment, netting techniques, ice harvesting tools

Multimedia displays on life on Washington Island and ferry transportation

Stories of ship captains, lighthouse keepers, and life in one of the most dangerous maritime corridors in the Midwest

It’s a more rustic, storytelling-focused experience than Sturgeon Bay but equally rich in character.

Additional Features and Services

Gift Shops at each location selling maritime books, apparel, local crafts, model ships, and nautical décor

Educational Programs including children’s maritime camps, school tours, and youth STEM activities

Annual Events

Classic and Wooden Boat Festival (August in Sturgeon Bay)

Lighthouse Festival (June and October) offering exclusive access to otherwise private or inaccessible lighthouses across Door County

Speaker series and historical presentations throughout the year

Visiting Tips

Allocate 2–3 hours for the main museum, especially if including a tugboat tour and tower observation

Cana Island requires short walking and stair climbing; wear proper footwear

Death’s Door museum is smaller-plan about 45–60 minutes

The best time to visit all three is between late May and early October, when all locations are open

Photography is encouraged; the tower offers some of the best waterfront views in Door County

Members receive free admission to all three locations

The Door County Maritime Museum system offers more than maritime history-it provides a hands-on, panoramic experience of the Great Lakes’ culture, industry, and adventure, spanning over a century of life on the water. Whether you're drawn to historic vessels, lighthouse towers, or shipwreck legends, it’s a journey into one of the Midwest’s most important nautical regions.