Passing through Fish Creek, it’s easy to spot a big piece of the past on the corner. The Alexander Noble House, built in 1875, still stands in its original location and this year will mark its 150th anniversary. To celebrate, the Gibraltar Historical Association has unveiled a new exhibit to commemorate the home’s prominent roots in Door County.
“The Alexander Noble House is the oldest wood freed structure in Fish Creek that has not been moved,” said Gibraltar Historical Association Direction Laurie Buske, “so imagine going back to 1875 and you’re standing in front of the house, none of those businesses were there, so it really gives you an idea of how far back this house goes.”
The Greek Revival-style farmhouse is the second home of the Noble family. The first home burned to the ground in 1874 in the middle of winter and was quickly replaced with the current structure, the first to be made with plaster. The home got passed down to Dr. Gertrude Howe, the granddaughter of Alexander Noble. After her passing, the Gibraltar Historical Association was established and pushed to save the home. During restoration, the windows, doors, and floors were left unchanged and a charred cedar board was found underneath the house, along with records, indicating the original home was once in the same spot.
“It’s pretty monumental as far as our village goals and is really remarkable when you think about it, especially after 150 years,” Buske added, “we’ve really done a lot of research and pulled some things out that people didn’t connect before; we’re super excited to show it to people now.”
Not only will the new exhibit highlight the history of the house, but it will take patrons back into time, room by room. Visitors will get to experience what life would have been like in the house for various celebrations. The parlor is set up for a classic Christmas, and in the kitchen, birthday festivities are on display. Collections upstairs also honor Howe, who was once a pediatric doctor, as well as teachers, as five of the Noble’s that lived in the house taught around the peninsula.
The home will open to the public for the season on June 14th and tours will be available between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday during the week.
Photo Credit: Gibraltar Historical Association
