July 13, 2012
PRESS RELEASE
“SCHOONER DAYS IN DOOR COUNTY” BOOK SIGNING EVENT AT CANA ISLAND LIGHTHOUSE
Mary Hirthe, co-author of “Schooner Days in Door County”, will be visiting the historic Cana Island Lighthouse on
Saturday, July 21 from 11:00 am to 3:00 pm to share tales of her and her late husband’s adventures and challenges in
crafting this classic work on Door County maritime history. The historic Cana Island Light Station is located 4 miles
northeast of Baileys Harbor at 8800 E. Cana Island Road. Visit the Maritime Museum’s website at www.dcmm.org for
detailed directions. Copies of “Schooner Days in Door County” will be available for purchase at the Cana Island
Lighthouse museum store.
Twenty five years after its original printing, this fascinating book has returned to the Maritime Museum’s store
shelves. Authored by seasonal Door County residents Walter and Mary Hirthe in 1986, this intriguing book offers an
informative, engaging and entertaining account of the Door Peninsula’s colorful history during the golden age of sail.
Well-written and filled with scores of historic images this volume is a valuable resource for anyone interested in Great
Lakes maritime history. “Door County’s history is a wonderful tale intertwined with the development of our people,
land, and 250 miles of coastline,” said Door County Historical society president George Evenson. “While buildings,
landscapes and graveyards are visible reminders of our past, the sea claims its victims, and they are gone forever.
Only through the printed page can we get a real feeling of this romantic age.”
This special 25th Anniversary Edition was reprinted by the Wisconsin Marine Historical Society with the help of the
Hirthe family. “We are thrilled that ‘Schooner Days in Door County’ is once again in print,” said the museum’s
executive director Bob Desh. “Walter and Mary did a wonderful job of bringing the county’s maritime history to life.
This book is a must read for anyone interested in life on the Great Lakes during the days of sail.”
Sloppy-joe sandwiches and soft drinks will be offered for sale by the Maritime Museum during the book signing event.
All funds raised will support the restoration of the Cana Island Lighthouse.
The book will be available in the Maritime Museum stores in Sturgeon Bay and Gills Rock as well as at the Cana Island
Lighthouse.
A second opportunity to meet Mary and discuss the book is scheduled for 12:00 to 4:00 pm on August 4 in
conjunction with the 22nd Annual Classic & Wooden Boat Festival at the Maritime Museum in Sturgeon Bay.
Appropriately, Mary will be signing books on the pier alongside the 137-foot Great Lakes schooner Denis Sullivan at
this event.
Media contact:
Bob Desh, executive director
920-743-5958; rdesh@dcmm.org