Fish Creek, WI (Peninsula State Park) – The Door County Historical Society invites the public to celebrate the Grand Opening of the restored Eagle Bluff Light Station on Friday, June 26, 2026. This free community event marks the completion of an ambitious restoration and reconstruction project that began in 2024 and ensures that one of Door County’s most iconic landmarks will continue to educate and inspire visitors for generations to come.
The project restored the historic keeper’s residence, tower and lantern room, oil house, and privy, while also reconstructing the site’s long-lost barn and summer kitchen. Together, these improvements return Eagle Bluff Light Station to the period when Keeper William Duclon, his wife Julia, and their seven sons called the lighthouse home between 1883 and 1918.
More than simply preserving historic buildings, the project recreates the environment in which the Duclon family lived and worked. Visitors can now experience Eagle Bluff not only as a navigational aid that guided ships through the waters of Green Bay and Lake Michigan, but also as a family homestead where daily life revolved around hard work, self-sufficiency, and service to the maritime community.
“This project represents years of planning, fundraising, craftsmanship, and volunteer dedication,” said Amy Frank, Executive Director of the Door County Historical Society. “We are deeply grateful to the donors, grantors, skilled tradespeople, volunteers, and our partners at the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources whose support made this restoration possible. Together, they have helped preserve an important piece of Door County’s history and created an immersive experience that will connect visitors to the stories of Eagle Bluff for years to come.”
Event Details
Date: Friday, June 26, 2026 10am – 3pm
Location: Eagle Bluff Light Station, Peninsula State Park
Admission: Free and open to the public (RSVPs encouraged)
Parking: State park sticker required. Shuttles will run throughout the day.
Celebration Highlights
The Grand Opening Celebration will feature a full day of engaging and entertaining activities for visitors of all ages. The celebration begins in the morning with a formal presentation at 11:00 AM. During the presentation there will be speeches given by the Wisconsin DNR, the Door County Historical Society, the U.S. Coast Guard, and representatives from the Governor’s Office. They will share remarks about the restoration process and the lighthouse’s legacy. Throughout the rest of the day, guests can enjoy free tours, which includes an inside look at the restored buildings to experience how the Duclon family lived during their years at the lighthouse.
The celebration event also features:
Live Music Enjoy performances by the renowned maritime vocal group Bounding Main, whose rich harmonies, humor, and spirited interpretations of traditional and contemporary nautical songs bring the Great Lakes maritime experience to life. Local favorites Cristy & John will also perform throughout the day.
Hands-On Activities for Kids: Young visitors can learn nautical knot-tying skills, paint lighthouse-inspired rocks, and meet authors of children’s books featuring Eagle Bluff Light Station and Door County history. Families can also enjoy a variety of historic games and activities that children of the Duclon era might have played, offering a fun, hands-on glimpse into childhood at the lighthouse more than a century ago. From old-fashioned lawn games to simple pastimes that entertained children before televisions and smartphones, these activities invite visitors to step back in time and experience history through play.
Historic Food Preservation & Baking Demonstrations: Step inside the reconstructed summer kitchen to learn about canning and food preservation techniques that helped lighthouse families survive long Wisconsin winters. Guests can also watch breadmaking demonstrations inspired by Julia Duclon, wife of Lighthouse Keeper William Duclon, who was well known for her delicious homemade breads.
Community Quilt Project: Join the quilting circle and help create a community quilt that will become a lasting part of Eagle Bluff Light Station. Visitors of all ages and skill levels are welcome to add a few stitches and become part of the lighthouse’s ongoing story.
Special Presentations & Activities: Representatives from the U.S. Coast Guard will offer boating and water safety presentations, while staff from the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources will host educational games and hands-on activities for families.
A Taste of Lighthouse Life: Complimentary sugar cookies and molasses cookies—favorites often served by Julia Duclon—will be available throughout the day, along with lemonade and water.
Meet the Barnyard Residents: To celebrate the reconstruction of the historic barn, guests can visit a small collection of live farm animals, including chickens, goats, and a miniature horse, offering a glimpse into the agricultural side of life at Eagle Bluff during the Duclon era.
RSVP & Additional Information: The celebration is free, but RSVPs are encouraged to help organizers plan for the attendance numbers. To learn more and RSVP, please visit doorcountyhistoricalsociety.org or call 920-421-2332.
About the Door County Historical Society Celebrating their 100 th anniversary in 2026, the Door County Historical Society is dedicated to preserving, sharing, and celebrating the rich history of Door County, Wisconsin. Through engaging programs, historic sites like the Eagle Bluff Light Station and Heritage Village, and ongoing preservation efforts, DCHS works to connect the community with its past.
