Most of us have admired Door County’s towering limestone bluffs and rugged shoreline. But what lies beneath them? On Monday, July 27, the Door County Historical Society invites you to find out during its next Dine & Discover program, featuring one of Wisconsin’s leading cave experts, Gary Soule.
Join Gary for an exciting journey beneath the rock spine of Door County as he explores the fascinating underground world of caves. Through an engaging slide presentation, he’ll introduce attendees to the peninsula’s most significant caves while sharing the geology, history, and discoveries that have made them so intriguing.
The program features framed displays documenting the true extent and remarkable history of Horseshoe Bay Cave, along with a look inside Eagle Cave in Peninsula State Park. Along the way, Gary will share stories from decades of exploring, researching, and documenting caves throughout Wisconsin and beyond. As he likes to say, “Grab your helmet and lights and prepare to enter the hidden belly of Door County!”
Even longtime Door County residents who are familiar with the area’s caves are likely to learn something new. Gary’s decades of experience, rare photographs, historical research, and firsthand knowledge offer insights that go far beyond what most people have seen from the shoreline or while paddling past the famous sea caves.
Gary has called Sturgeon Bay home for more than 60 years and is a graduate of the University of Wisconsin with a Bachelor of Science degree in Regional Analysis. He has served as Chairman of the Wisconsin Speleological Society, is a Life Member and Fellow of the National Speleological Society, and serves as a Trustee of the American Spelean History Association. He has also authored numerous articles and booklets on caves, making him one of Wisconsin’s foremost authorities on the subject.
The evening begins with dinner at the Institute Saloon, followed by Gary’s presentation. Dine & Discover programs combine great food, fascinating speakers, and lively conversation with others who enjoy exploring Door County’s history, culture, and natural heritage.
Date: Monday, July 27
Location: Institute Saloon, 4599 WI-57, Sturgeon Bay
Time: Doors open at 5:30 p.m.; dinner at 6:00 p.m.; presentation follows
Cost: $40 per person ($35 for Door County Historical Society members)
Registration Deadline: Monday, July 20
Reserve your seat online, call (920) 421-2332, or mail or drop off a registration form. Seating is limited.