The rocky shore of Schoolhouse Beach.

Washington Island: 
A place to forget
the rest of the world  
    There’s a book, “1,000 Places to See Before You Die,” about some of the great places in the world that are well worth a visit.  You could probably write a similar book about Wisconsin, and Washington Island would be high on the list. 
    From the tiny Jacobsen Museum in the northwest corner to Stavkirke Chapel built entirely with wood peg construction and no nails, Washington Island offers a surprising variety for a place that is just 35 square miles.
    Reachable only by ferry from Northport at the tip of Door County, the island has a year-round population of about 680 people.  But it has more than 100 miles of paved, lightly traveled roads, making it an excellent destination for bicyclists.  It is also the launch point for visiting Rock Island State Park, a 10-minute ferry ride from the northeast corner of Washington Island.    
    About two miles from the ferry landing at Detroit Harbor visitors can enjoy coffee or a meal at Bread & Water, which offers fresh baked bread and pastries daily.  It’s a place where visitors can pick up sandwiches for an impromptu picnic, and it also offers kayak rentals.

    First time visitors may be surprised at the self-sufficiency of Washington Island and the islanders.  Across Main Road from Bread & Water is Mann’s Store, the island grocery proudly proclaiming “Serving the island since 1903.”  It has a remarkable variety of food and household items.  The price is marked on everything and when you check out, the cashier tallies your bill on a cash register – not with a scanner.

    There are plenty of places to see and fill
up the day.  The all-wood Stavkirke (or stave church) chapel is an inspiration and a tribute to the island’s Scandinavian heritage.  Supported by 12 wood masts, the structure uses tongue and groove joints and wood peg fasteners.  It was begun in 1991 and dedicated in 1995, patterned after churches in medieval Norway, when paganism was giving way to Christianity.  The Rev. Frank Maxwell (shown here in the doorway) conducts services at the chapel.
    The Jacobsen Museum displays relics from the island’s past, including a stone map used by the earliest inhabitants of the area to navigate their little corner of the world.  During a recent visit, host Sandy explained the significance of many of the artifacts in the museum, displaying her wealth of knowledge about early pioneer’s background.  Jacobsen built several vertical log cabins and the little museum he built is the same style, in part because the design helped the structure shed water.

     Wildlife and woodworking come together in the Washington Island Art and Nature Center, housed in one of the four former school buildings on the island (all of the schools are now centrally located).  Artists from the island have paintings, photography, wood benches, textiles and other artwork on display and available for purchase.  In an adjoining room is little natural museum complete with a live beehive.

     Another point of interest is the Sievers School of Fiber Arts, which offers classes in knitting, quilting, weaving, basketry and wood carving. Located on Jackson Harbor Road, an adjacent shop offers knitting supplies and craftwork – including scrimshaw deer antlers made into lamps, woven rugs and hand-made jewelry – made by Sievers’ students and instructors.
    It’s possible to navigate the island in a day, but there are plenty of activities to occupy a visitor for a week with other historic sites, beaches, tours, fishing, hiking, biking and unique businesses. Lodging is available at 10 hotels, B&Bs or guesthouses on the island.
    Washington Island is about 210 miles from Milwaukee or Madison, 280 from Chicago.

                                     – Posted 8/26/2009

The Stavkirke was built in part to commemorate the island's Norwegian heritage.



The island's art center and nature museum are in this old schoolhouse.

Colorful yarns and threads fill the shelves at the Siever School shop.

The museum built by Jens Jacobsen pays tribute to Washington Island's history.  Below, one of the stone maps used by the island's original inhabitants is on display in the museum.