There’s a moment each spring in Door County when everything starts to wake up—the snow melts, the sap begins to run, and the sweet smell of maple fills the air. It’s a tradition that’s been passed down for generations… and now you’re invited to experience it in a whole new way.
Join the Door County Historical Society on Monday, April 27 for a warm, story-filled evening celebrating one of the peninsula’s most beloved seasonal traditions: maple syrup.
We’ll gather at Al Johnson’s Swedish Restaurant in Sister Bay for a cozy dinner and an engaging presentation by local historian and lifelong community member Steve Jorns, sharing The History of Maple Syrup Production in Door County.
Steve will take you from the earliest days of maple sugaring, rooted in Native American traditions, through the changing methods and tools of each generation. Along the way, he’ll weave in his own family’s story—growing up on a dairy farm in Egg Harbor where making maple syrup was simply part of everyday life. It’s history you can see, smell, and almost taste.
And speaking of taste… the evening wouldn’t be complete without a delicious meal. Dinner begins at 6:00 p.m. (doors open at 5:30) and features a classic Swedish spread—meatballs with mashed potatoes and gravy, a bean medley, fresh salad with lingonberry vinaigrette, and a sweet ice cream finish. The program follows dinner.
✨ Seats are limited—and they go fast. Reservations are required by April 20, so be sure to save your spot soon. Cost is $40 per person (DCHS members are $35).
The evening will also include a “Highlights of Our History” segment, celebrating 100 years of preserving and sharing Door County’s story. If you love local history, great food, and stories that stay with you long after the evening ends… this is for you.
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