History is filled with colorful characters—but few can claim a résumé quite like James Jesse Strang.
Join the Door County Historical Society on Monday, September 28, at the Lodge at Leathem Smith in Sturgeon Bay for our September Dine & Discover program, “Hail to the Prophet King of Beaver Island,” presented by historian Peter Lison.
The story of James Jesse Strang is one of the strangest—and most fascinating—chapters of Midwestern history. During his remarkable life, Strang managed to become a venerated Mormon prophet, the self-proclaimed King of Beaver Island, Grand Primate of the Halcyon Order of the Illuminati, a Michigan state legislator, and an alleged pirate.
And that’s only the beginning.
From encrypted diaries and religious revelations to political power and his iron-fisted rule over Beaver Island, Strang’s story reads more like a novel than history. How did a young man from rural New York rise to become one of the most infamous figures in Midwest history?
Peter Lison will take us inside this extraordinary story and explore the ambition, controversy, mystery, and larger-than-life personality that surrounded the Prophet King.
Lison is a historian, curator, and education and outreach coordinator for the Door County Museum and Archives. Throughout his work in history, he has gravitated toward the interesting, unexpected, and downright strange—using unusual stories to demonstrate just how much fun historical research can be.
Doors at the Lodge at Leathem Smith open at 5:30 p.m. for refreshments, with dinner served at 6:00 p.m. The program will follow the meal. The evening’s menu includes honey baked chicken, stuffed pork loin, mashed potatoes and gravy, vegetables, rolls and butter, cookies, and coffee.
The cost is $40 per person or $35 for DCHS members. Members are encouraged to bring guests, and prospective members are always welcome. Reservations are due one week before the dinner, so don’t wait to reserve your seat!
Because 2026 marks the Door County Historical Society’s 100th anniversary, the evening will also continue our special year-long journey through the decades, highlighting memorable moments from the Society’s history. September takes us into the 1990s as we continue looking back at a century of preserving and sharing Door County history.
Come for dinner. Stay for a tale of prophets, kings, politics, secret societies, and alleged piracy.
This is one history lesson you definitely didn’t get in school.
Discover more from Door County Historical Society
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.