The Greene Store
Welcome to the Greene Store—your first stop on a journey through history at Heritage Village! Named after well-known Sturgeon Bay shopkeepers, this charming general store sets the stage for your visit.
Step inside to browse guidebooks, nostalgic treats, unique Door County keepsakes, and fascinating displays. Every shelf and counter is filled with artifacts generously donated by individuals who wanted to help bring the past to life. Among the treasures, you’ll find a working phonograph filling the air with music from another era and an adding machine once used to tally up purchases—just as it would have been in the early 1900s.
Peterson Granary
Built in 1905, the Petersen Granary once stood on the family farm along Lily Bay Road, serving as a vital storage space for livestock feed. Its design reflects traditional Norwegian-style storage buildings, a nod to the heritage of many early settlers in the area.
Though inspired by old-world craftsmanship, the granary itself represents a more modern era, blending time-honored construction techniques with the needs of a working farm in the early 20th century.
Warren House
Built in 1877 in the town of Clay Banks, this house was home to generations of the Warren family. Filled with memories and everyday life, it stood as a testament to the simplicity and resilience of rural living.
In 2004, the Warren family generously donated the home—along with many of its original furnishings—to the Door County Historical Society. Moved to Heritage Village, it now offers a glimpse into 19th-century family life, preserving the stories of those who once called it home.
Madden Tool Museum
Completed in 2018, the Madden Tool Museum was created from a reconstructed barn and now showcases a variety of tool displays, along with a dedicated space for hands-on demonstrations. The Door County Historical Society has been proud to learn that this museum is a unique treasure—said to be the only one of its kind in Wisconsin.
Visitors can explore the museum and watch live demonstrations Wednesdays through Fridays.
Vignes School
Originally known as the "Western School," this one-room schoolhouse was built in the 1890s in the town of Vignes, serving students in grades one through eight. More than just a place of learning, it was a hub for the community—hosting concerts, plays, holiday programs, graduation ceremonies, and eventually Town Hall meetings until the early 1990s.
When school district expansion threatened its demolition, the Door County Historical Society stepped in to save this piece of history, relocating it to Heritage Village. Thanks to dedicated restoration efforts, the schoolhouse’s exterior was beautifully restored in 2020, ensuring that its story continues to be shared for generations to come.
Blacksmith Shop
Blacksmith demonstrations are an integral part of the Heritage Village programming and experience! Since 2015, the blacksmiths offered demonstrations throughout the season at Heritage Village. The trained blacksmith group’s commitment to volunteerism continues to grow; in addition to working weekly, they participate in special event and festival dates.
Schopf House
Built around 1882 in Jacksonport by the Lautenbach family, German immigrants seeking a new life in Door County, this home reflects the craftsmanship and traditions they brought with them.
In 2006, the Door County Historical Society relocated the house to Heritage Village, ensuring its story would be preserved. It was later named in honor of Orville Schopf, whose dedication and efforts were instrumental in advancing the mission of the Historical Society.
Heritage Garden
The Heritage Garden at Heritage Village is a living tribute to the vital role gardens played in the late 1800s. In a time before supermarkets, families relied on their gardens for fresh vegetables, herbs, and flowers, which were essential for both daily meals and medicinal needs. The garden reflects the kinds of crops that were commonly grown during that period, showcasing heirloom varieties that early settlers would have cultivated to sustain their households.
Having a garden was not just a necessity for food, but also a way to ensure self-sufficiency and resilience in rural life. The Heritage Garden serves as a reminder of the hard work and resourcefulness required to thrive in the 19th century, offering a glimpse into the agricultural practices that shaped the lives of those who lived in Door County.
Heritage Chapel
In 2001, to mark 75 years of preserving history, the Door County Historical Society built the Heritage Chapel—a tribute to the county’s early settlers. This charming chapel is a ¾-scale model of the Ephraim Moravian Church, the first Protestant church in Door County, founded in 1853 by Pastor Andrew M. Iverson.
Today, the Heritage Chapel continues to bring people together, hosting intimate weddings, special gatherings, and quiet moments of reflection, just as churches have for generations.
Kohl Fish House
Originally located in Jacksonport, the Kohl Fish House is a classic example of the simple yet sturdy structures that once lined Door County’s harbors, providing shelter and docking space for fishing boats.
In 1993, Ed Kohl’s daughters generously donated the fish house to the Door County Historical Society, marking the beginning of what would become Heritage Village. This humble building stands as a tribute to the hardworking fishermen who helped shape Door County’s maritime history.
Privy
The privy at Heritage Village is a simple yet essential structure that offers a glimpse into daily life in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Before modern plumbing, outdoor privies like this were necessary for sanitation and privacy.
The privy at Heritage Village stands as a testament to the practical ingenuity of early settlers, showing how even the most basic structures played a vital role in daily life.