Discover A Treasure Trove of Local History and Literature

Last summer, the Door County Historical Society received an exciting addition to our archives—the Door County Book Collection, generously donated by Charlie Calkins. This remarkable gift arrived in 28 boxes filled with books, yearbooks, maps, and more, all connected to the people, places, and stories of Door County.

Now that we have the office space, our dedicated volunteers have been hard at work sorting and categorizing this extensive collection. A grant from the Raibrook Foundation cover the cost of the 8 large bookshelves that will hold the collection. Over the winter, each item will be cataloged and documented so that researchers, history enthusiasts, and curious visitors alike can easily explore the material.

The collection includes nonfiction, fiction, poetry, cookbooks, yearbooks, plats, surveys, and periodicals—a rich reflection of our community’s life and legacy.

We invite you to stop by our office during business hours to browse the collection. Whether you’re doing genealogical research, seeking local recipes, or just love discovering pieces of Door County’s past, you’re sure to find something fascinating.

A heartfelt thank-you goes out to our volunteers for their time and care in organizing this extraordinary donation. Their efforts ensure that these books will continue to educate and inspire for years to come.

Donations like this, and the continued generosity of our supporters, help the Door County Historical Society preserve and share the history that makes our community so special. To support projects like this, please consider making a donation today.