Another Day in Sturgeon Bay

Trip Day:	166	Latitude:	44°49.59 ' N	Locks Today:	0
Miles Today:	0	Longitude:	087°22.60'W	Locks Total:	81
Total Miles:	3,288	Location:	Sturgeon Bay,  WI

Today was another reminder that we are indeed controlled by the weather.  Predictions were for winds of 15-20 dead out of the south, which of course is the exact direction we are headed.  Ron was up early to check actual conditions at a weather buoy in Lake Michigan;  readings were 19kts of wind with 3.6ft seas.  Today, therefore, is logged as a weather day. 

Mid morning we set off on our bikes to make the best of another day in Sturgeon Bay.  Riding across the Michigan Street Bridge, built in 1931, our first stop was the Door County Historical Museum.  The museum far exceeded our expectations. 

Exhibits honored the original inhabitants of the area—Native Americans—at least five aboriginal community sites are known to have occupied this vicinity long before the United States existed. 

 The history of Chief Oshkosh and his family was well documented.  

 

This museum had an amazing collection of  antiques which included musical instruments, farm tools, kitchen utensils, wooden washing machine, wedding dresses and wedding photos of the pioneer settlers and their families, toys, furniture that was ordered from the Montgomery Ward Catalog with the original advertising and prices shown and even a chicken plucking machine.

 

 The history of Sturgeon Bay was chronicled from the first settlement in 1850, through the logging years, railroad years and ship building years, but mostly it told the story of everyday family life in times long passed.  The collection was so complete that it included original patents for inventions by local residents and a 1907 Teacher’s Contract for nine months of work for the sum of $75 with a stipulation that the “teacher would do all janitor work as well as take charge of 4H Club and fair exhibits.”

The first motorized fire truck in Door County was purchased in 1920 for $1,465 and used until 1951.  It was located by the city and purchased back for $11,000 to be displayed at the museum.  The detailed craftsmanship on the horse-drawn hearse was to be admired.   

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After lunch in the historic downtown area, we toured the surrounding neighborhoods on our bikes admiring the many tree-lined streets with homes from the late 1800s and early 1900s as well as the beautiful old churches. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Not a bad way to spend a day waiting for favorable winds.