Temporary Exhibits & Displays

Temporary Display: Powerboat Pioneers

Judy is a fully restored sixteen-foot-long dory launch built in Racine, WI by the Pierce Engine Company around 1906. This inboard “vapor” gasoline-powered vessel is one of the earliest inboard motorboats built in Wisconsin. The exhibit features the fully restored boat, interpretive panels, and a slideshow of images showing the restoration process. The boat will be on exhibit at the Museum through 2022.

Washington Island “Over and Back”:

80 Years Building a Modern Ferry System

May 21 – Sept 19, 2022

Experience the maritime tradition and hardworking people behind the scenes that safely navigate passengers across Death’s Door to Washington Island over the last century. In this visually stunning exhibit, photographer Jim Legault, documents the building of a modern ferry system and the construction of the newest ice breaking ferry Madonna.  Since 1940, transportation to Washington Island has evolved from two small wooden vessels limited to winter crossings only in light ice conditions. Today, the Washington Island ice breaking ferries are seldom prevented from crossing “over and back” to mainland Wisconsin. Historic photography along with two video presentations transport the viewer into the shipyards and ferry docks of  Door County.