Your gift to the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society provides educational and outreach experiences for over 60,000 visitors each year.
The donation process is easy. Simply select the fund you want to support and designate the amount of your gift.
Maritime Project Donations
For four decades, the Door County Maritime Museum as educated and entertained the public while working hard to preserve rich maritime history. Now, the museum is ready to take a major leap forward with an exciting new initiative: expanding its Sturgeon Bay facility with a spectacular, 11-story Maritime Tower filled with state-of-the-art exhibits for all ages. Evoking the romance of North America’s lighthouses, it will serve as a striking visual landmark on the Sturgeon Bay waterfront.
Button to the Maritime Tower Project page
Annual Fund
Your tax deductible donations ensure that our maritime museum will remain “first rate” as it continues to preserve and celebrate the extraordinary maritime heritage of Door County.
Anchor Appeal
As the name implies, the museum’s annual “Anchor Appeal” is one of the principle fundraising campaigns and is primarily used to help cover the expenses needed to maintain a facility of the highest quality. These funds assist with the sometimes less publicized but essential workings that keep the doors of the museum open as well as help off-set the decline in admission revenue that takes place during the winter.
Donate to our Annual Fund
Sponsor a Day
Gifts in any amount are appreciated. However, for a $250 donation, you may personally Sponsor a Day at the museum. “Sponsor a Day” is a wonderful way to honor a loved one or recognize a birthday, anniversary or a memory! As a sponsor, you will be recognized at all three museum locations, on our web site and in the museum newsletter. You will also receive a support decal for your car window or business entry. See Sponsor a Day Announcements here.
Print & mail the PDF form to tell us the date and wording you would like. Sponsor a Day form
Estate Gifts Support the Museum – Just WILL it!
Leaving the Door County Maritime Museum a bequest in your will or estate plan represents an investment in its long term well-being. A bequest is a simple way to support the museum in the future while retaining control of your assets during your lifetime. Read More About Estate Gifts
Endowment Fund
Create a legacy! Gifts to the Endowment Fund provide ongoing support of the museum’s day-to-day operations.
Donate towards Endowment Fund
Commemorative Bricks
The Door County Maritime Museum’s “Walk of Fame” is a unique way to capture your connection to maritime history, honor a loved one or celebrate a special occasion. Bricks range in price from $150-$2,500. Larger bricks may include an image. If paying online, museum staff will contact you to confirm the details. For detailed information regarding the museum’s commemorative brick walkway, please call us at (920)743-5958.
Since 1970 under lease from the U.S. Coast Guard, the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society’s mission at Cana Island has been to maintain and upkeep the light station and adjacent grounds. The 1869 resources of the island and light station are irreplaceable; a truly unique setting and experience for visitors.
In 2009, the Museum, Door County Parks Department, and the Historic Structures Report project team identified basic flaws in the current buildings that hinder access by the public, limit interpretation, and cause general degrading of the building fabric over time that will, if left unaddressed, result in the loss of historic integrity.
Phase 2 – Our work is not done!
2016 – Restoration of the out buildings on the property to include: Oil house, Privy and Barn (cost of $220,000)
Phase 3
2017 – Welcome center to be built to include a gift shop, admissions office and an interpretive area (cost of $250,000)
Phase 4
2018 – Restoration to the interior of the keeper’s house (cost of $800,000)
2019 – Celebrate Cana Island Light Station’s 150 years of service
Help maintain and restore this important historic landmark by getting involved today! Support Illuminate Our Heritage and help out lighthouse keep watch … for us, and for future generations.
Cana Island Restoration Brochure
Exhibit Development
Donate towards Exhibit Development
Exhibit development costs can range from $250 upwards to $100,000! Each exhibit must be planned a year or more in advance.
Artifact, Photograph, or Boat Donations
The museum continuously seeks Great Lakes artifacts, photographs, or boats for the museum’s growing collection. Call us at 920-743-5958.