Join the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society as they honor and celebrate the community effort to advocate for and save the Potawatomi State Park Observation Tower. A reception and special guest talks from Dr. Dan Tingley and Wm. Jason Flatt will enlighten guests to the efforts that were needed to restore and reopen the historic Potawatomi Tower.

Doors open at 5:30 PM

Guest speakers begin at 6:00 PM, followed by a community gathering to celebrate this successful effort.

Climb the tower during the Pot Tower: Community Climb — more info HERE

Dr. Dan Tingley, lead engineer and international timber expert, will discuss the design and repairs of the tower and why he was inspired to help in the effort to save the historic Potawatomi Tower.

Wm. Jason Flatt, author of the Potawatomi Tower National Register listing, will present the Tower’s unique history.

Plus other special guests from the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society will add commentary to the importance of historic preservation and advocacy.

Followed by a meet and greet with our guest speakers and community members were instrumental in supporting the effort to save the Tower.

Potawatomi Tower Day is a testament to the power of what a community can do when we ALL work together.

Dr. Tingley has worked in the wood products industry for over 45 years. He received his Bachelor of Science in New Brunswick. He completed his Ph.D. at Oregon State University in Wood Science, Technology, and Civil Engineering. Dr. Tingley currently holds more than 40 published patents in the reinforced wood field in the US and other countries. He has authored over 125 conference proceedings, publications, and articles in the area of reinforcement of wood and wood composites.

Between 2023 and 2025, Jason worked as an architectural historian at Stantec before taking a full-time position as the City of Green Bay's community development specialist and landmarks commission staff person. Jason was a member of the City of Marinette Historic Preservation Commission for over 20 years and is a past president of the Wisconsin Association of Historic Preservation Commissions. He has lived in a pink & purple Queen Anne house in Marinette since 1999. 

Gather with friends and family at the Potawatomi Tower to climb to the top of the newly reopened and restored historic tower. Take in the breathtaking views of Door County’s fall colors from a view above the trees! Celebrate historic preservation and collaboration.

We encourage community members of ALL ages to climb the tower in honor of the efforts to save the historic 1931 Observation Tower.

Self-guided tour handouts from the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society available at the Potawatomi Tower from 2 PM - 5 PM.

Free and open to the public (park pass required).

Continue the Potawatomi Tower Day Celebration at the Door County Granary later that evening, October 7 at 5:30 PM: more information HERE

Industriesalon Schöneweide: From industrial relic to cultural highlight.

The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society hosts a presentation by co-founder Susanne Reumschüssel of the “Industriesalon Schöneweide” in Berlin, Germany, with a historic perspective and a strategy for a successful revival of a former derelict industrial area into a vibrant center for the arts and community.

Free and open to the public at the Door County Granary, 72 E. Locust Ct.

Wednesday, October 1, 5:30 PM

Sponsored by STUDIO 330

As an independent filmmaker and graduate of the Berlin Filmacademy, Susanne Reumschüssel rediscovered the forgotten industrial center in the former East Berlin neighborhood of Oberschöneweide (Treptow-Köpenick) and founded the Industriesalon as a museum and cultural center. 

Reumschüssel’s research into the history of the area revealed the historic importance of the industrial buildings that were in various states of decay. By connecting with retired workers  that still reside in the neighborhood she was able to reconstruct the important parts that these buildings played as Germany developed its industrial base starting in the late 19th century.

The area was the cradle for many leading developments in the areas of electrical components, appliances, electric cars, turbines, and many other technologies. After the end of WW II Oberschöneweide’s Transformer factory and Television factory were the largest of its kind in East Germany with its own schools, medical facilities, and housing. After the reunification in 1989 the companies slowly succumbed to more modern facilities elsewhere and eventually were shut down.

The Industriesalon documents the rise and fall of this industrial area, and also touches upon the importance that Jewish Germans played in building Germany’s role as an industrial leader. Its complex history is further presented by various tours and events that are offered to the public.

In 2019 Susanne received one of the highest civilian honors, the ‘Bundesverdienstkreuz’ to recognize her efforts to rediscover the rich industrial history of Oberschöneweide and Treptow-Köpenick. During a presentation at the Granary Susanne can share some of her ideas and strategies to keep the public engaged with tours, events, festivals and exhibitions.

More information: www.industriesalon.de/en/industriesalon-2/

Contact: Hans Christian, 920-256-5457, hans.christian@charter.net

Join the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society at the Door County Granary for another listening session with DJ David Watkins spinning his thoughtfully curated sets from real records (78s) on modern equipment.

The listening party will showcase recordings by legendary greats from the early days of jazz, recorded between the years 1917 and 1930,  such as Jelly Roll Morton, King Oliver, Louis Armstrong, Bix Beiderbecke, Duke Ellington, Hoagy Carmichael and more all on original 78 rpm records accompanied by a slideshow featuring many rare photos of the performers we are listening to.

Attendees need not resist the urge to dance! The Granary is located in the city’s entertainment district; feel free to byob.

Watkins specializes in 20th century R&B, blues, jazz, country, old-time, rock, exotica, Hawaiian, international, and rare Christmas music. Watkins brings an analog feel to a digital world.

Join the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society on September 20, 2025 for its first exhibit opening in the newly renovated historic Grain Elevator on the West Waterfront in Sturgeon Bay.

Doors will open to the public at the Door County Granary at 10 AM with a simple celebration to showcase The Raymond F. and Eleanor A. Pesch Granary Restoration Fund Granary Telescoping Model exhibit with support from the Raibrook Foundation. The scaled 9-foot-tall model will simultaneously describe the primary internal layers of the Granary structure that are otherwise hidden including the Grain Elevator’s upper levels, inner workings, and future public access to the headhouse. 

​The Door County Granary is also getting national attention. A second Granary Telescoping Model, in addition to a nearly full scale Granary Grain Storage Bin, will be on display at the Chicago Architecture Biennial, North America's largest international symposium of architecture and design. The exhibit, located in Chicago's Cultural Center and created by LA DALLMAN Architects, opens in September and will be on exhibit through February 2026.

The exhibit was commissioned by the SBHS and designed by the renowned LA DALLMAN Architects. The team was led by founding partners James T. Dallman and Grace E. La, Chair of the Department of Architecture at the Harvard Graduate School of Design. Design and fabrication was completed by the talented team of Brian Lee, Belle Delatour, Min Ho Kim, Seongyun Joeng, Go Nakao, and Enoch Liu, graduates and students from the Harvard Graduate School of Design and the Pratt Institute.

The Door County Granary is open to the public with free admission Wednesday - Sunday, 10 AM - 3PM through October 25.

Participants will be guided on paved paths by Bob Jorin and Kevin Quinn on a approximately 3-mile tour around Sturgeon Bay’s two downtown areas. Crossing two bridges throughout the tour, Bob and Kevin will provide historical knowledge of the area while making stops at the Wooly Mammoth Statue, the old railroad bridge, the historic Steel Bridge plus a tour inside of the Door County Granary.

This event is held on a number of different dates:

• September 18th

• October 9th

• October 16th

  ~To Register for any of these event dates click on this link ~

This is a free event that lasts about 2 hours.

Meet Bob and Kevin on the pathway between the Door County Maritime Museum and the Door County Granary. Public parking is available in the lot in front of the Maritime Museum or Sawyer Park.

Participants will be guided on paved paths by Bob Jorin and Kevin Quinn on a approximately 3-mile tour around Sturgeon Bay’s two downtown areas. Crossing two bridges throughout the tour, Bob and Kevin will provide historical knowledge of the area while making stops at the Wooly Mammoth Statue, the old railroad bridge, the historic Steel Bridge plus a tour inside of the Door County Granary.

This event is held on a number of different dates:

• July 10th

• August 7th

• August 21th

• September 18th

• October 9th

• October 16th

  ~To Register for any of these event dates click on this link ~

This is a free event that lasts about 2 hours.

Meet Bob and Kevin on the pathway between the Door County Maritime Museum and the Door County Granary. Public parking is available in the lot in front of the Maritime Museum or Sawyer Park.

Participants will be guided on paved paths by Bob Jorin and Kevin Quinn on a approximately 3-mile tour around Sturgeon Bay’s two downtown areas. Crossing two bridges throughout the tour, Bob and Kevin will provide historical knowledge of the area while making stops at the Wooly Mammoth Statue, the old railroad bridge, the historic Steel Bridge plus a tour inside of the Door County Granary.

This event is held on a number of different dates:

• July 10th

• August 7th

• August 21th

• September 18th

• October 9th

• October 16th

  ~To Register for any of these event dates click on this link ~

This is a free event that lasts about 2 hours.

Meet Bob and Kevin on the pathway between the Door County Maritime Museum and the Door County Granary. Public parking is available in the lot in front of the Maritime Museum or Sawyer Park.

Coffee and treats served at the Granary Wharf Cafe

August 1- 3 | 9 AM - Noon

Find the service window at the Door County Granary’s Waterfront Terrace

• Enjoy views of the Tall Ships with Free Deck Tours | 9 AM - 11 AM

• Classic & Wooden Boat Show at the Maritime Museum (next door)

• Sea Shanty Songs at the Granary (Aug. 2)

Granary Wharf Cafe supports the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society’s preservation of the Door County Granary

72 E. Locust Ct., Sturgeon Bay

Sponsored by Pinky Promise Coffee

Saturday, August 2nd | 10:00 AM – 12:00 PM & 5:30 PM – 7:30 PM

Great views of the Tall Ships!

Fun for the WHOLE family on the West Waterfront!

Enjoy and sing-a-long! Songbooks provided!

Raise your voice and your spirits with The Stoughton Sea Shanty Society during two lively singalong sessions! Enjoy interactive performances and rollicking renditions of traditional sea shanties - no singing experience needed, just a love for music and community.

Songbooks will be provided, and there will be spontaneous performances between the main sets throughout the day. Drop in, sing out, and be part of the crew!

The Stoughton Sea Shanty Society
Founded in 2022 at Roxy’s Bar in Stoughton, WI, the T.S.S.S.S. brings people together for the joy of community singing; from sea shanties and maritime music to historical and drinking songs. Led by traditional musician and historian Andreas Transø, the group meets every second Tuesday and has inspired similar song circles across southern Wisconsin and beyond!

The group features musicians including Andreas Transø, an Irish and maritime music specialist; Alerdale Wimer, a genre-bending fiddler and music educator; and Patrick Moran, a Celtic instrumentalist and professor of Irish literature.

Coffee and treats served at the Granary Wharf Cafe

August 1- 3 | 9 AM - Noon

Find the service window at the Door County Granary’s Waterfront Terrace

• Enjoy views of the Tall Ships with Free Deck Tours | 9 AM - 11 AM

• Classic & Wooden Boat Show at the Maritime Museum (next door)

• Sea Shanty Songs at the Granary (Aug. 2)

Granary Wharf Cafe supports the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society’s preservation of the Door County Granary

72 E. Locust Ct., Sturgeon Bay

Sponsored by Pinky Promise Coffee

Coffee and treats served at the Granary Wharf Cafe

August 1- 3 | 9 AM - Noon

Find the service window at the Door County Granary’s Waterfront Terrace

• Enjoy views of the Tall Ships with Free Deck Tours | 9 AM - 11 AM

• Classic & Wooden Boat Show at the Maritime Museum (next door)

• Sea Shanty Songs at the Granary (Aug. 2)

Granary Wharf Cafe supports the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society’s preservation of the Door County Granary

72 E. Locust Ct., Sturgeon Bay

Sponsored by Pinky Promise Coffee

Join the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society for an evening program with Derrick Pratt, the Erie Canal Museum’s Director of Education & Public Programming in Syracuse, NY. Derrick will present Erie Eats: The Erie Canal Foodways project.

Food is the most basic building block of human life. We all need it to survive and thrive. But where does our food come from? How does it get to where we can eat it? Who decides what products will be available to us to eat? The answers to all of these questions, for people in Upstate New York and throughout the United States, were radically transformed by the completion of the Erie Canal in 1825 and continued to change dramatically over the next 200 years as the Canal itself changed.

Free and open to the public.

Signature Granary cookies will be served.

Coffee Talk Series: Join us as Door Peninsula Astronomical Society members, Cory Gorski and Amanda Austin, offer a presentation on the Vera C. Rubin Observatory - a groundbreaking, ground-based observatory poised to capture its 'first light' in July 2025.  They will discuss the project's goals, the insights it hopes to achieve, and the technological advancements required - including the development and construction of the worlds largest digital camera capable of resolving images at an astounding 3.2 gigapixels.

If weather permits, they will offer safe solar (sun) viewing opportunities through a telescope after the presentation.

Located in Sturgeon Bay, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society is a nonprofit organization dedicated to sharing the wonders of the night sky with the local community.  Through our state of the art campus we offer telescope viewing nights, planetarium shows, monthly meetings, and other outreach events. 

Coffee is served at 10am with the presentation beginning at 10:30 followed by Q&A.

Participants will be guided on paved paths by Bob Jorin and Kevin Quinn on a approximately 3-mile tour around Sturgeon Bay’s two downtown areas. Crossing two bridges throughout the tour, Bob and Kevin will provide historical knowledge of the area while making stops at the Wooly Mammoth Statue, the old railroad bridge, the historic Steel Bridge plus a tour inside of the Door County Granary.

This event is held on a number of different dates:

• July 10th

• August 7th

• August 21th

• September 18th

• October 9th

• October 16th

  ~To Register for any of these event dates click on this link ~

This is a free event that lasts about 2 hours

Meet Bob and Kevin on the pathway between the Door County Maritime Museum and the Door County Granary. Public parking is available in the lot in front of the Maritime Museum or Sawyer Park.

Hike with Bob Jorin and Kevin Quinn of the Ice Age Trail Alliance, Lakeshore Chapter, and the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society on a 3.1-mile walk around Sturgeon Bay’s two downtown areas. Participants will be guided on paved paths, crossing two bridges, while stops at the Wooly Mammoth Statue, the old railroad bridge, the historic Steel Bridge and a tour inside of the Door County Granary.

This is a free event that lasts about three hours.

Meet Bob and Kevin on the pathway between the Door County Maritime Museum and the Door County Granary. Public parking is available in the lot in front of the Maritime Museum or Sawyer Park.

More information: https://www.iceagetrail.org/event/sturgeon-bay-urban-historical-hike/

The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society celebrates the Door County Heritage Alliance’s History Days with American Vintage Record Night on the Waterfront. DJ David Watkins will be spinning vintage records at the Door County Granary.

Hillbilly to Honky Tonk: Post WWII Country Music on 78 rpm featuring such greats from the 1940s and 1950s such as Hank Williams, Merle Travis, Maddox Brothers and Rose, Bill Monroe, Lefty Frizzell, Johnny Cash, George Jones and more.

DJ David Watkins specializes in 20th century R&B, blues, jazz, country, old-time, rock, exotica, Hawaiian, international, and rare Christmas music. Spinning his thoughtfully curated sets from real records (78s, 45s, and LPs) on modern equipment, Watkins brings an analog feel to a digital world. 

The Granary is located within the City’s Entertainment District. TAKE YOUR DRINK ON A WALK! Purchase an adult beverage from any local establishment within the district and walk over to the Granary, meet some friends, and enjoy some vintage country music on the historic waterfront.

The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Coffee Talk Series: American Ingenuity and the American Dream: The Door County Granary. Meet with Beth Renstrom of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society on June 5 at 10 AM. This is an exciting opportunity to connect with fellow history buffs, make new friends, and enjoy some coffee!

Invented in America, grain elevators changed the world’s food landscape. These amazing structures were a technological innovation greatly increasing the ability to store and ship grains around the globe, accelerating food distribution into the modern age. In Door County, The Teweles and Brandeis families aspired to the American dream, building a local grain elevator in 1901 on the shores of Sturgeon Bay that helped launch the family’s adventures in the new world. The Door County Granary has been preserved for all to learn about a time and place that boosted the American economy when the mid-west moved from log cabin settlements to feed people locally to a global food power.

Coffee will be served at 10 AM with the presentation beginning at 10:30 followed by Q&A.

Free and open to the public.

The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society’s Coffee Talk Series with Door County Master Gardeners on May 29 at 10 AM. Virge Temme and Patrick Baird, Master Gardeners, discuss the kitchen garden display that is being designed in Sturgeon Bay. The kitchen garden showcases various sustainable gardening techniques that can be implemented in a small garden area, including three sisters, vertical gardens, straw bales, and containers.

Coffee will be served at 10 AM with the presentation beginning at 10:30 followed by Q&A.

Free and open to the public.

The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society’s Coffee Talk Series: The Community’s Garden and the Seed Library by the Door County Master Gardeners on May 15 at 10 AM. Meet Carmen Schroeder of The Community’s Garden and Penne Wilson of the Door County Master Gardeners. Attendees will receive seeds from the Seed Library

Coffee will be served at 10 AM with the presentation beginning at 10:30 followed by Q&A.

Free and open to the public.

The Sturgeon Bay Historical Society invites you to celebrate the seasonal opening of the Door County Granary. Discover Sturgeon Bay’s historic agricultural industry and American innovation, the grain elevator. Enjoy lemonade and our signature Granary cookies.

Docent-led tours with the members of the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society will be available throughout the day.

Learn more HERE

This event is free and open to the public. At will donations are accepted. This event is hosted in partnership with the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation, the Door County Granary, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance - Lakeshore Chapter.

Register TODAY by calling Nicole at 920-241-6819 or email nicole@doorcountygranary.org

This event is free and open to the public. At will donations are accepted. This event is hosted in partnership with the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation, the Door County Granary, and the Ice Age Trail Alliance - Lakeshore Chapter.

Register TODAY by calling Nicole at 920-241-6819 or email nicole@doorcountygranary.org

Join us for the Soft Opening of the Door County Granary.

Come celebrate:

• the only restored wooden grain elevator remaining on the Great Lakes

• Door County’s agricultural roots

• historic preservation in Sturgeon Bay

DOCENT LED TOURS — LIVE MUSIC — HISTORY TALK

• Tours 1- 2 and 3 -5 PM

• Music by Helen Accordion (1-2 PM) and The Gliddiots (3:30 - 5 PM)

• History Talk: Daniel Liedtke of the National Railroad Museum (2 -3 PM)

Join the Sturgeon Bay Historical Society Foundation (SBHSF) as we celebrate the historic Teweles and Brandeis Grain Elevator being restored to its original height and secured to its new foundation, Friday, November 18, at SWY231 Gallery, downtown Sturgeon Bay. 

To celebrate this monumental occasion SBHSF and the Door County Granary will be honoring the Teweles and Brandeis families’ Czech heritage and their contribution to transforming Sturgeon Bay into a year-round community. Czech night will uncover the history of Sturgeon Bay’s last remaining grain elevator, discuss the Door County Granary project, and share plans for the building’s future.

Meet with the members of SBHSF by stopping in between 4 pm and 7 pm to celebrate with food and drinks (while it lasts) and discover Sturgeon Bay’s agricultural roots. No registration required.

Updates can be found on our Facebook page: @doorcountygranary