If you love local stories, great food, and connecting with your neighbors, mark your calendar for the Door County Historical Society’s upcoming Dine & Discover evenings this August and September. These programs are a perfect mix of history and hospitality, offering guests the chance to enjoy dinner in good company while exploring the stories that shaped Door County.
August 25: Digging Into Door County’s Maritime Past
Join us on Monday, August 25 at the beautiful Kress Pavilion in Egg Harbor for an evening centered around one of Door County’s most impactful engineering feats: the Sturgeon Bay Ship Canal.
Our guest speaker is Capt. Robert (Bob) Desh, USCG (Retired) – a respected maritime historian and former Executive Director of the Door County Maritime Museum. Capt. Desh will take us back to the 1870s and 1880s, when the canal was painstakingly carved to connect the bay of Sturgeon Bay with Lake Michigan. His insights will highlight how this ambitious project reshaped local shipping and opened new chapters in our region’s maritime story.
Doors open at 5:30 p.m., with dinner served at 6:00. You’ll enjoy a delicious Italian-themed meal featuring chicken parmesan, meat lasagna, Caesar salad, warm bread, and homemade cookies and brownies. The program will follow the meal. Register by August 18 to reserve your spot.
September 15: The Man Who Revolutionized Shipping
Our September program shifts to an earlier date – Monday, September 15 – and we’re gathering at The Lodge at Leathem Smith in Sturgeon Bay for a truly special evening.
We’re honored to welcome Leathem Smith Stearn, grandson of Door County innovator Leathem D. Smith, who will share personal stories and a fascinating look at his grandfather’s legacy. From pioneering the self-unloading vessel to launching the early concept of container shipping, Smith’s groundbreaking ideas transformed maritime commerce – earning him comparisons to Frank Lloyd Wright.
Enjoy cocktails beginning at 5:00 p.m., followed by dinner at 6:00. The meal includes honey baked chicken, stuffed pork loin, mashed potatoes, vegetables, and homemade desserts. Register by September 8 to join us.
Tickets and Details
Each event is $40 per person, or $35 for DCHS members. Reservations can be made online at www.doorcountyhistoricalsociety.org, by calling 920-421-2332, or by visiting our office at 130 N 4th Avenue in Sturgeon Bay.
These Dine & Discover programs are open to everyone. Whether you’re a lifelong resident or just curious about Door County’s past, we invite you to come, learn, and connect. Your participation—and your support—helps the Door County Historical Society continue our mission to preserve and share our local history through meaningful programming, education, and restoration efforts.
We hope to see you there!
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Great idea. Get those stories now when the people are still around to tell them.