The Story Behind the Lighthouse: Discover How Eagle Bluff’s History Is Preserved

For more than 150 years, Eagle Bluff Light Station has stood watch over the waters of Green Bay. Its light guided sailors through dangerous passages, its keepers devoted their lives to maintaining it, and generations of Door County residents have worked to ensure its survival.

But how do we preserve those stories? And who makes sure they are passed on to future generations?

On Monday, June 22, the Door County Historical Society invites you to explore those questions during a special Dine & Discover program featuring Wisconsin lighthouse historians and authors Ken and Barb Wardius.

Known throughout the Great Lakes region for their book Wisconsin Lighthouses and numerous other publications, Barb and Ken are currently immersed in a new project: researching and writing the history of Eagle Bluff Light Station. During their presentation, they’ll pull back the curtain on the fascinating process of historical research, sharing how old photographs, archival documents, newspaper accounts, and personal stories are transformed into a book that helps preserve history for generations to come.

Their visit comes at a particularly exciting time.

Just four days later, on June 26, the Door County Historical Society will celebrate the completion of a major restoration and reconstruction project at Eagle Bluff Light Station. The project restored the lighthouse, oil house, and privy while reconstructing the site’s historic barn and summer kitchen, creating a richer and more immersive experience for visitors.

The timing offers a unique opportunity to see how preservation happens in many forms. Some people preserve history with hammers and paintbrushes. Others preserve it through research, writing, and storytelling. Both are essential.

“History doesn’t preserve itself,” says Amy Frank, Executive Director of the Door County Historical Society. “Every generation has played a role in protecting Eagle Bluff Lighthouse. The keepers and their families cared for it when it was an active aid to navigation. Community members rallied to save it in the 1960s. Today, volunteers, donors, and preservationists have helped restore it for future generations. Ken and Barb are helping ensure those stories are not forgotten.”

As part of the Society’s Centennial Celebration, the evening will also feature the latest installment of the Highlights of Our History series. This month’s presentation explores the 1960s—the pivotal decade when local citizens first organized efforts to save Eagle Bluff Lighthouse from deterioration and loss. Their vision laid the foundation for the preservation work we celebrate today.

Together, these presentations tell a remarkable story of stewardship, community involvement, and the enduring importance of preserving the places that define Door County.

Of course, no Dine & Discover evening would be complete without great food and great company. Guests will enjoy a delicious meal featuring pork tenderloin with Door County cherry sauce, potatoes, vegetables, and lighthouse-themed cookies for dessert.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m., dinner is served at 6:00 p.m., and the program follows. The event will be held at The Log Den, 6626 Highway 42 in Egg Harbor.

Whether you’re fascinated by lighthouses, interested in local history, or simply curious about how stories are preserved, this promises to be an evening that will leave you with a deeper appreciation for one of Door County’s most beloved landmarks—and the people who have worked to protect it.