The Door County Historical Society renewed their 1960 commitment to preserve Eagle Bluff Light Station, located in Peninsula State Park, by commissioning a Historic Structure Report (HSR).
The Jeffris Family Foundation, located in Janesville, Wisconsin, awarded a Historic Structure Report grant for the Eagle Bluff Light Station. The lead gift consists of a 50 percent matching grant. For every dollar contributed, the Foundation will match donations dollar for dollar. The Foundation believes that thorough research, documentation, and planning is the key to quality restoration, maintenance, and stewardship of historic resources. Foundation Board Member Tom Jeffris explained, “The Foundation has funded such nationally known projects as President Harding’s home, a Louis Sullivan Bank, and Burnham & Root Railroad Depot, and are proud to proceed with the Eagle Bluff Light Station.”
The Eagle Bluff HSR Committee unanimously selected Preserve from Whitefish Bay to conduct the report. “Preserve participated in Historic Structure Reports and restoration of several buildings, including Ozaukee County Courthouse, Soldiers Home Chapel in Milwaukee, and Cana Island Light Station,” said Executive Director, Bailey Koepsel. Preserve created an impressive Historic Structure Report team that includes Sullivan Preservation (Decorative Arts), Euer Preservation Consulting (Conservator), The Structural Group (Structural & Civil) Architectural Consulting Engineers (Mechanical) CYLA Design Associates (Cultural Landscape) and Superior Lighthouse Restoration (Fresnel Lens).
Preserve will lead graduate level architecture students from the Historic Preservation Institute of the UW-Milwaukee School of Architecture and Urban Planning in guided work to aide in the execution of the report. The “learning laboratory” will provide an educational opportunity for students while producing valuable and useful information.
Historic Structure Reports are considered the industry standard for establishing a background, assessment, and restoration plan of action for the lighthouse and site. The HSR will document the existing keeper’s dwelling, light tower, Fresnel lens, oil house, and privy. It will also include future reconstruction plans for the barn and summer kitchen, as well as identification of cultural landscape features. “Having a completed Historic Structure Report for the Eagle Bluff Light Station will be invaluable to the long-term planning, preservation, and interpretation for the site,” added Koepsel.
For information on this project or to contribute, contact Door County Historical Society at (920) 421-2332 or email doorcountyhistory@gmail.com.
Founded in 1926, the Door County Historical Society keeps history alive for future generations through the collection, preservation and sharing of the heritage of Door County. The Society is a membership organization that operates two interpretive sites: Eagle Bluff Lighthouse in and the Heritage Village at Big Creek in Sturgeon Bay.
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