Our Mission
The mission of the Sister Bay Historical Society is to encourage, foster and participate in the documentation, preservation, and renovation of historical information, artifacts and sites in the Sister Bay Area. The restoration of historic buildings in the development of the “Corner of the Past,” located at the intersection of Highway 57 and Fieldcrest Road on the south end of Sister Bay, is the Society’s major project in progress.
What Your Donations Mean
The Sister Bay Historical Society has always relied on memberships, donations and fund raisers to operate its facility. Many changes have occurred since the society was formed. In the past 20 years, since the original restoration of the Old Anderson House, 14 additional buildings have been relocated and restored; creating The Corner of the Past Museum. The Corner of the Past is the venue for numerous programs and events sponsored by the Sister Bay Historical Society. Enhancements such as a walking tour map and the innovative Discovery Pen serve to guide visitors through the facility and deepen their knowledge of Sister Bay’s history. Expanding our days of operation (open 5 days a week) has resulted in increased attendance each season. Plans are underway to further increase visits by coach tours and families with children. Our volunteer groups continue to carry out most of the work of the SBHS and we now have a paid staff member greeting visitors and making sure that The Corner of the Past is a beautiful and vibrant place to visit.
Growth is a beautiful thing and we are planning for more of it! The Board of Directors is always mindful that with increased successful endeavors comes increased responsibility to have sufficient income to meet the financial obligations that come with our annual operations.
Our fledgling organization is maturing and it is now our privilege to look forward toward long range sustainability. Much of the original work on buildings and antique farm implements are clearly in need of repairs. Our inventory of artifacts has grown beyond our ability to properly store and protect them. To address these issues the Board of Director’s is looking toward creating a new building, our History Center, to house archives, provide work and repair space and better serve our mission.
With all of this in mind we invite you to consider an additional way of ensuring the SBHS’s long term growth and security. By including the Sister Bay Historical Society in your estate planning, you will impact the future of the SBHS in a very important, positive way. The SBHS is a 501.c3 non-profit organization; therefore your donations are fully tax deductible. In addition to our general fund for annual operations, there are 2 funds established for future sustainability – The Operating Endowment Fund for special operational needs as they may arise and The Legacy Endowment Fund to ensure a stable financial base into the future.
Please consider this means of giving, as it will be a permanent gift that will help guarantee that Sister Bay’s history will be preserved and archival information made available for future generations. Board members are available to discuss your plans with you, if you wish. Your attorney, accountant or financial planner will guide you through the process of establishing your gift.
Thank you!
Membership Levels/Fees
Sister Bay Historical Society yearly membership fees are $25 for individuals, $40 for a family, and $100 for a business.
Download Our Membership Form [PDF]
Monetary Donations
Donor categories are available to persons who would like to make donations in addition to membership.
Donor Categories:
___ EXPLORER ($10-$99)
___ PIONEER ($100-$999)
___ SETTLER ($1,000-$4,999)
___ HOMESTEADER ($500-$999)
___ FOUNDER ($5,000+)
Mail your Membership Form to:
Sister Bay Historical Society
P.O. Box 34
Sister Bay, WI 54234
The Sister Bay Historical Society is an affiliate of the Wisconsin Historical Society and a member of the Door County Historical Resource Association.
