Death’s Door Maritime Museum

Death’s Door Maritime Museum The Death’s Door Maritime Museum celebrates the area’s commercial fishing tradition. The museum is open seasonally.

The museum features a shipwreck and scuba diving exhibit, including artifacts brought up from the bottom of Lake Michigan, and the fishing tug Hope. When in the northern part of the Door Peninsula, be sure to visit the Door County Maritime Museum at Gills Rock. Please call or visit their Web site for details. The newly remodeled facility features the fishing tug Hope built in 1930 by Sturgeon Bay

Boat Works (currently Palmer Johnson). Visitors can board the boat and view its last fishing trip in 1992. Along with the Hope, is the remake of a net shed complete with fishing boxes, a net reel, and other traditional fishing supplies. The museum also features new exhibits on shipwrecks and lifesaving including a Lyle Gun used to rescue mariners from shipwrecks. The Ted Berch model collection of 20 Great Lakes vessels, including the Edmund Fitzgerald, is also located in the lifesaving area. The Museum at Gills Rock also houses an area devoted to marine engines including those built at Kahlenberg Brothers in Two Rivers, Wisconsin. Other exhibit areas include ice fishing and navigation.

05/28/2026

Once again, we are closed today (Thursday 5/28). We should be back open tomorrow and for the weekend. Thanks for your patience.

Due to an employee family emergency, the Death's Door Maritime Museum will be closed today (Wednesday, June 27). We plan...
05/27/2026

Due to an employee family emergency, the Death's Door Maritime Museum will be closed today (Wednesday, June 27). We plan to reopen tomorrow. We apologise for any inconvenience.

We have a winner! Amber Knetter was the 22nd adult guest in the Death’s Door Maritime Museum today, meaning she won the ...
05/22/2026

We have a winner! Amber Knetter was the 22nd adult guest in the Death’s Door Maritime Museum today, meaning she won the one-year Family Membership to DCMM! We hope Amber and her family enjoy exploring all that DCMM has to offer, including the Tug John Purves, The Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay, and Cana Island Lighthouse. Plus, she will enjoy discounts at Death’s Door Mariner Store. Congratulations and Happy National Maritime Day, Amber!

Thank you, John!
05/22/2026

Thank you, John!

Thank you to John Heikkila and everyone at Nightingale Supper Club for sponsoring today at DCMM, in honor of our volunteers and staff. We appreciate your support!

If you wish to sponsor a day in recognition or memory of someone special, contact us or visit https://dcmm.org/donations-membership/donations/ to donate online.

Honoring National Maritime Day 2026 on Friday, May 22 (TODAY!) the 22nd adult guest at the Door County Maritime Museum i...
05/22/2026

Honoring National Maritime Day 2026 on Friday, May 22 (TODAY!) the 22nd adult guest at the Door County Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay and Death's Door Maritime Museum in Gills Rock will win a free DCMM Family Membership for one year, which includes complimentary admission to all three DCMM locations, 10% museum store discounts, and many other membership benefits.

National Maritime Day recognizes one of our country’s most important industries. Each year, ceremonies and celebrations throughout the country recognize National Maritime Day and the people our maritime nation depends on.

The Death’s Door Maritime Museum at Gills Rock is CLOSED on Mondays & Tuesdays due to a staffing shortage. If you’d like...
05/03/2026

The Death’s Door Maritime Museum at Gills Rock is CLOSED on Mondays & Tuesdays due to a staffing shortage. If you’d like to be a part of our team, now’s the time to reach out!

Tommorrow we OPEN for the 2026 Season at 10AM!
04/30/2026

Tommorrow we OPEN for the 2026 Season at 10AM!

The Death’s Door Maritime Museum traces the area’s commercial fishing tradition. It boasts the wooden fishing tug Hope.

Nothing beats a summer job at Death's Door! You always have the best stories in the fall!
04/29/2026

Nothing beats a summer job at Death's Door! You always have the best stories in the fall!

The new and improved Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit at the Death’s Door Maritime Museum received some final touches today - a...
04/29/2026

The new and improved Edmund Fitzgerald exhibit at the Death’s Door Maritime Museum received some final touches today - as did all our exhibts, as we ready to begin the 2026 Spring Season!

04/29/2026

Address

12724 W Wisconsin Bay Road
Ellison Bay, WI
54210

Opening Hours

Wednesday 10am - 5pm
Thursday 10am - 5pm
Friday 10am - 5pm
Saturday 10am - 5pm
Sunday 10am - 5pm

Telephone

(920) 743-5958

Website

Alerts

Be the first to know and let us send you an email when Death’s Door Maritime Museum posts news and promotions. Your email address will not be used for any other purpose, and you can unsubscribe at any time.

Contact The Museum

Send a message to Death’s Door Maritime Museum:

Shortcuts

Share

Category