Sturgeon Bay, Wis. (March 9, 2026) — Door County isn’t just a place on a map; it’s a collection of the people who lived its history. To mark its 100th anniversary, the Door County Historical Society (DCHS) is launching an effort to ensure those stories aren’t lost to time—but they need the public’s help to find them.
The Centennial Multigenerational History Project aims to select exactly 100 residents to represent the spirit of the peninsula. These 100 individuals will be interviewed and photographed by AP US History students from Southern Door and Sturgeon Bay high schools, bridging the gap between the county’s past and its future.
“We aren’t just looking for names in a history book,” says Amy Frank, Executive Director of DCHS. “We are looking for the person who ran the general store, the family that’s farmed the same acres for decades, the retired teacher, and the neighbor who has seen the shoreline change through the years. We want the real, lived experiences that define us.”
Why Your Nomination Matters:
The selected stories will be published in a landmark commemorative book, featuring portraits and narratives. Most notably, the book will include QR codes that link directly to audio recordings of the interviews, allowing future generations to hear these voices in their own words.
Who Should You Nominate?
The Society is looking for a diverse range of voices from every corner of the county. You can nominate:
- Yourself: Your perspective is unique and worth preserving.
- A Family Member: Honor a parent or grandparent’s legacy.
- A Local Legend: That neighbor or colleague who always has the best stories of “how things used to be.”
“This is an opportunity to decide which voices will tell our story for the next 100 years,” says Frank. “If someone’s life has helped shape Door County, we want to hear from them today.”
How to Submit:
Nominations are being accepted now, but space is limited to exactly 100 participants. Don’t wait until these stories fade—visit doorcountyhistoricalsociety.org or call 920-421-2332 to submit a nomination today.
ALL CONTENT © 2026 BY DOOR GUIDE PUBLISHING
