Death’s Door Maritime Museum

Death’s Door Maritime Museum The Death’s Door Maritime Museum celebrates the area’s commercial fishing tradition. The museum is open seasonally.

The museum features a shipwreck and scuba diving exhibit, including artifacts brought up from the bottom of Lake Michigan, and the fishing tug Hope. When in the northern part of the Door Peninsula, be sure to visit the Door County Maritime Museum at Gills Rock. Please call or visit their Web site for details. The newly remodeled facility features the fishing tug Hope built in 1930 by Sturgeon Bay

Boat Works (currently Palmer Johnson). Visitors can board the boat and view its last fishing trip in 1992. Along with the Hope, is the remake of a net shed complete with fishing boxes, a net reel, and other traditional fishing supplies. The museum also features new exhibits on shipwrecks and lifesaving including a Lyle Gun used to rescue mariners from shipwrecks. The Ted Berch model collection of 20 Great Lakes vessels, including the Edmund Fitzgerald, is also located in the lifesaving area. The Museum at Gills Rock also houses an area devoted to marine engines including those built at Kahlenberg Brothers in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Other exhibit areas include ice fishing and navigation.

FRIDAY: Our sincere apologies but we are unable to open the Death's Door Maritime Museum today (Friday). We do anticipa...
08/21/2026

FRIDAY: Our sincere apologies but we are unable to open the Death's Door Maritime Museum today (Friday). We do anticipate being open Saturday. Check here to be certain.

THURSDAY: Due to an employee health challenge, the Death's Door Maritime Museum will be closed today (Thursday, August 2...
08/20/2026

THURSDAY: Due to an employee health challenge, the Death's Door Maritime Museum will be closed today (Thursday, August 20). We plan to reopen tomorrow. We apologize for any inconvenience.

The best way to sail into history!
08/11/2026

The best way to sail into history!

Your opportunity to sail aboard the historic schooner Utopia is now! Limited sail-a-ways are available. All of the proceeds from these tours support the mission of Patriot Racing Project, and the preservation of Sturgeon Bay's Utopia! Book your time aboard now at: https://dcmm.org/cruise/

08/04/2026

Due to staffing challenges, the Death's Door Maritime Museum is closed today, August 4. We will be open Wednesday August 5 at 10AM.

Sharing that Cana Island Lighthouse historic structures remain closed today (Friday 7/17) due to the very poor air quali...
07/17/2026

Sharing that Cana Island Lighthouse historic structures remain closed today (Friday 7/17) due to the very poor air quality. The Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock is open, as is the Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc. in Sturgeon Bay.

UPDATE For Friday 7/17/26: Due to the hazardous air quality, and for the safety of our guests and staff, the historic buildings on Cana Island, including the lighthouse tower are closed. The island remains open, but there are no admission fees today, and only the interpretive center and rest rooms are open to guests. The Door County Maritime Museum & Lighthouse Preservation Society, Inc. has made this decision out of an abundance of caution. We closed the buildings to reduce the amount of time our staff and guests are subjected to the smoke, and to reduce soot accumulation inside the historic structures. The air-conditioned interpretive center museum, and Death's Door Mariner's Store remain open on the island. Guests who wish to explore the island may do so at their own risk.
Alternatives: We encourage you to consider visiting the Death’s Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock, or the Door County Maritime Museum main campus in Sturgeon Bay.

Thank you Mike Kahr and your team for making this happen!
06/22/2026

Thank you Mike Kahr and your team for making this happen!

Happy Birthday U.S. Lifesaving Service!
06/18/2026

Happy Birthday U.S. Lifesaving Service!

They were first called storm fighters. When wind and wave conspired to kill those who dared to tread upon the water, the men of the United States Life-Saving Service left the comfort of their sturdy stations and entered the battle. With nothing more than wooden boats, cork life jackets and the oil-skin foul weather gear on their backs, they let their muscle, determination and bravery lead the way. Learn more about one of the U.S. Coast Guard’s predecessor services in our Sentinels of the Door exhibit in the Baumgartner Gallery here at the Door County Maririme Museum. Plan your visit now at: https://dcmm.org/explore/hours-admissions/

06/10/2026

A reminder that we are now open seven days a week, 10am-5pm!

Liberty Grove shipwrecks, pier join State Historic Register
06/10/2026

Liberty Grove shipwrecks, pier join State Historic Register

By Tim Kowols -- Door County’s newest entry on the State Register of Historic Places is a three-for-one experience in the Town of Liberty Grove.

Welcome to Death’s Door Utopia!
06/02/2026

Welcome to Death’s Door Utopia!

Utopia is at the pier at Washington Island! Drop by and see us!
Patriot Racing Project
SV Utopia - A 1946 Great Lakes Schooner

Address

12724 W Wisconsin Bay Road
Ellison Bay, WI
54210

Opening Hours

Monday 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(920) 743-5958

Website

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