Over 70,000 visitors have toured the Tug John Purves since it was donated to the Door County Maritime Museum approximately 20 years ago, and a grant from Destination Door County will ensure that thousands more will be able to come aboard. The Door County Maritime Museum was one of four recipients of the latest rounds of Community Investment Fund grants from Destination Door County, receiving $50,000 to support the dry docking and repairs to the Tug John Purves. The Tug John Purves looks really good figuring it was built in 1919 and served the country during World War II as the Tug Butterfield. As a floating exhibit however, Deputy Director and Development Manager Sam Perlman says there is some work that needs to be done so it remains docked near the museum for future generations.

Local room tax dollars help support Destination Door County’s Community Investment Fund, which was launched earlier this year and has already awarded over $575,000. This is part of an ongoing series about the projects being supported by the fund. The next grant cycle ends on October 5th.