Saturday, August 19, will be quite a day at Crossroads at Big Creek. In the morning, volunteers will be helping with restoration; in the evening, the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society will hold a Viewing Night at the Astronomy Campus. This weekend we begin offering tours of the historic Hanson House. And, from 9:00-11:00 a.m., the Door County Beekeepers will hold their annual Community Honey Harvest.
The Community Honey Harvest is a wonderful opportunity to learn about honeybees and their amazing products: wax and honey. Apiary tours, tasting and extraction demonstrations, exhibits, and kids’ activities will celebrate honey, much of which was produced at the Apiary at Crossroads at Big Creek.
Over the centuries, many kinds of food have been hunted, fished, foraged or grown on the preserve.
“Foodways of the Watershed” will be the educational theme for many upcoming history-related programs at Crossroads because we understand that the people of the Cove Estuary and the Big Creek Watershed – from the First People of the Woodland Era, to the early settlers, and later farmers and orchardists – chose to settle beside Big Creek where they could acquire or grow the food they needed to feed their families.
To explore the foodways of the early Door County settlers, on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays from now until mid-October, we will offer tours of the historic Hans and Bertha Hanson House, which was originally a snug two-room, log home built in 1856. The home was moved a short distance in the 1870s and has been enlarged and renovated a number of times. But the original ax-hewn logs and dovetailed corners still show the skilled craftmanship which went into the structure.
In keeping with the Foodways theme, each weekend we will have a food-related, hands-on activity for kids.
Folks who visit the Hanson House will notice other activity on the Hanson Homestead. The picturesque historic barn which once housed livestock is being restored, so in the future, it can be used by researchers as a field station and for special programs.
Last spring, the deteriorating barn was moved off its foundation. Currently, work is being done by contractors and volunteers to create a new foundation, structural improvements, and a new roof, but much of the original exterior has been saved in order to preserve the rustic charm of the building We are continuing our fundraising efforts to complete this project. Contact Crossroads if you would like to make a donation.
Crossroads at Big Creek Learning Center and Nature Preserve is located at 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay. Crossroads is a 501(c)3 organization committed to offering education, conducting research and restoration, and providing outdoor experiences to inspire environmental stewardship in learners of all ages and from all backgrounds. We welcome your support.
Thursday, August 17
6:30 p.m. Summer Explorers
Join a Crossroads naturalist in exploring the fascinating life living on the preserve. The whole family is welcome as we take a stroll, collecting bugs, searching for frogs, crayfish and much more. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.
Friday, August 18
10:00 a.m. Crossroads Make and Take and Puppet Show
Explore nature through artistic and creative activities. Each week, families will get to make and take home a nature-inspired craft. This week we welcome special guest, Nancy Hawkins, a local puppeteer who will be presenting “The Fearsome Beast.” Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.
Saturday, August 19
9:00 a.m. Habitat Healers
Help heal the earth! Volunteers of all ages are invited to help with our land restoration efforts. Wear clothing and footwear that can get dirty and wet and bring a water bottle. Instruction, equipment, and gloves provided along with cookies and lemonade at the end! No need to register in advance and all ages are welcome. Meet at the Workshop at 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.
9:00-11:00 a.m. Community Honey Harvest
The Door County Beekeepers Club will share the fascinating world of honeybees through hands-on activities and demonstrations for all ages, expanding people’s understanding of honeybees, their role in our environment, and the importance of protecting them. Honey extraction demonstrations will take place from 9:30-10:00 and 10:30-11:00 a.m. Free and open to the public. Meet at the Collins Learning Center, 2041 Michigan Street, Sturgeon Bay.
2:30-4:30 p.m. Tours of the Hanson House
Visit the pioneer home of Hans and Bertha Hanson to learn about life in the 1880s. Hands-on activities for kids. No reservations needed. Free and open to the public. The Hanson House is located across from the Cove Estuary at 2022 Utah Street in Sturgeon Bay.
8:30 p.m. DPAS Viewing Night
Join members of the Door Peninsula Astronomical Society as they explore the beautiful night sky in the StarGarden or with images from the new telescope. The fun starts at dusk. If skies are cloudy, Planetarium shows will be offered. Free and open to the public. 2200 Utah Street, Sturgeon Bay.
Sunday, August 20
2:30-4:30 p.m. Tours of the Hanson House
Visit the pioneer home of Hans and Bertha Hanson to learn about life in the 1880s. Hands-on activities for kids. No reservations needed. Free and open to the public. The Hanson House is located across from the Cove Estuary at 2022 Utah in Sturgeon Bay.
