Few places are better suited for a conversation about Door County’s maritime history than the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay, where ships, shipbuilding, and the stories of the working waterfront surround you.
On Saturday, March 28 at noon, the Door County Historical Society invites you to join us at this iconic waterfront location for our monthly Dine & Discover program — a unique combination of local history and an exceptional lunch.
The program will take place inside the Maritime Museum, overlooking the harbor where shipbuilding once defined the region’s economy. Our featured speaker will be Kevin Osgood, President & CEO of the Door County Maritime Museum, presenting “Sturgeon Bay’s Complicated Ending to WWII.”
Within months of World War II ending, Sturgeon Bay faced an existential crisis. During the war, local shipyards had operated at full throttle, building vessels vital to the Allied effort. But when the war ended, government contracts vanished almost overnight and the once-bustling yards fell silent.
What followed was a pivotal moment for the community. Shipyard leaders were forced to make difficult, all-or-nothing decisions. Longtime competitors had to put aside rivalries and collaborate in order to survive.
Those choices reshaped the peninsula’s future—helping transform Door County from a wartime industrial hub into the tourism destination we know today.
A Special Luncheon by Bluefront Café
Guests will enjoy a thoughtfully prepared lunch catered by Bluefront Café, known for its creative, seasonal menus.
The meal begins with Maple Roasted Sweet Potato topped with crème fraîche and sage, followed by a basket of Voyageurs bread served with three house-made compound butters — sea salt, herb, and cinnamon.
The meal will also include a selection of Bluefront’s signature freshly made sandwiches:
- Sweet Curry Chicken Salad Wrap
- Muffaletta Sandwich with ham, salami, and provolone
- Vegetarian Muffaletta featuring grilled apples in place of deli meats
- Bánh Mì Sandwich with five-spice marinated pork loin
Dessert will include chocolate chip cookies and classic molasses cookies, served with regular and decaf coffee, along with iced tea options of black tea or hibiscus passion fruit.
Celebrating 100 Years of the Door County Historical Society
As the Door County Historical Society celebrates its 100th anniversary in 2026, each Dine & Discover program will also feature a brief “Highlights of Our History” segment. These short presentations will share memorable moments, milestones, and stories from the past century of preserving Door County’s heritage.
With a waterfront setting, engaging history, and a memorable meal, this event offers a perfect way to experience Door County’s past while enjoying the present.
Event Details
March Dine & Discover: Sturgeon Bay’s Complicated Ending to WWII
📅 Date: Saturday, March 28, 2026
🕛 Time: 12:00 PM
📍 Location: Door County Maritime Museum, Sturgeon Bay
Cost:
$40 per person
$35 for Door County Historical Society members
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