Donations

Your donations help us tell the stories of bold ship captains, brave seaman, innovative shipbuilders, rugged fishermen, and stalwart lighthouse keepers.

Donation to DCMM image

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.

Annual Fund (Anchor Appeal)

On an average day, the cost of operating the Museum is greater than income from fees, membership and store sales. 

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.

Donate to our Annual Fund

$

Sponsor A Day

$
 

Illuminating Our Heritage: Phase II of Cana Island Lighthouse Restoration

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.

As modernization of light systems developed, the U.S. Coast Guard no longer had reason to maintain lighthouse properties and began to transfer properties. In 2006, the U.S. Coast Guard transferred Cana Island to the Door County Parks Department who named the Door County Maritime Museum as operating and historic preservation partner. Currently, five buildings remain on the site:  the light tower, keeper’s residence, oil house, privy, and storage shed. An isolated setting such as Cana Island with a grouping of intact structures offers a rare glimpse into the past.

Donate towards Illuminating Our Heritage

$
 

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.

Illuminating Our Heritage will restore all five buildings at Cana Island Light Station; provide safe public access including adjacent land acquisition of a 1.5-acre waterfront site for parking; develop a blueprint for restoration of the cultural landscape; and create modern, yet environmentally friendly, restroom facilities. The project cost is $2,653,728. To date, secured funds represent 86.5% of this cost.

Exhibit Development

The range of exhibit development cost is from $250 upwards to $100,000! This year’s exhibits are “Pirates – From Ship To Shore” and two anniversary micro exhibits: “Titanic’s Wake” (1912) and “War of 1812 – the Battle for the Great Lakes.”

Donate towards Exhibit Development

$
 

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

$
 

Artifact, Photograph, or Boat Donations

The Museum continuously seeks Great Lakes artifacts, photographs, or boats for the Museum’s growing collection.  Call our Development Director Trudy Herbst at 920-743-5958.