First Peoples of Door County from the Door County Historical Society

Door County Historical Society’s Amy Frank and Michaela Kraft will present First Peoples of Door County which tells the story of the Indigenous peoples who have lived in and shaped Door County for thousands of years. Drawing on historical records, archaeological evidence, and Indigenous perspectives, this groundbreaking publication explores the rich cultural heritage, traditions, and enduring influence of the region’s First Nations. Created as part of a project funded by the National Trust for Historic Preservation’s Telling the Full History Preservation Fund, the book provides a more complete and inclusive understanding of Door County’s past.

The book serves as a companion to the permanent First Peoples of Door County exhibit at Heritage Village. Through interpretive panels, images, maps, and engaging storytelling, the exhibit introduces visitors to the history of the county’s earliest inhabitants and their continuing presence in the region today. Together, the exhibit and book offer residents and visitors an opportunity to explore an often-overlooked chapter of local history and gain a deeper appreciation for the people whose connection to this land spans millennia.

First Peoples of Door County exhibit at Door County Historical Society’s Heritage Village in Sturgeon Bay.

Traditional Potawatomi Foodways described