The Door County Maritime Museum is becoming the latest example of how similar institutions are evolving to engage with their visitors.

As they evolved, so did their collections to become more attractive to more visitors who may otherwise never come. Museums started out primarily as private collections of artifacts from wealthy individuals. As they evolved, so did their collections to become more attractive and personalized to more visitors.

The Sturgeon Bay museum’s addition of the maritime tower also included renovated spaces for an expanded gift shop and meeting areas to host additional private and public events. One of the newest series events the Door County Maritime Museum is hosting is their “Tug Pub.”  Paid admission visitors can enjoy a drink outside on the Harder Family Deck or inside its new Captain’s Quarters event space while visiting the museum and checking out Sturgeon Bay’s working waterfront. Deputy Executive Director Sam Perlman says they want to help encourage museum-going habits.

The Tug Pub will pop up once a month through September beginning on June 24th.  Perlman added that they have seen a spike in attendance at the Sturgeon Bay museum since the opening of the maritime tower, which provides one of the few observation decks in the entire county.

Other Tug Pub dates:

Friday, July 9

Thursday, July 22

Saturday, July 31

Thursday, August 26

Thursday, September 23

Picture provided by Door County Maritime Museum