STURGEON BAY, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – There is an old saying about a picture being worth a thousand words.
The view is from the top of the new Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower in Sturgeon Bay might be one of those cases.
Part of the site is being christened Saturday, and that’s when people will be allowed to the top.
“You walk out of the elevator, and you go wow!” said Kevin Osgood, Door County Maritime Museum Executive Director.
Osgood tells FOX 11 the view from Door County’s tallest building is stunning. Construction started in December of 2019.
“You can see almost everything. You can see the canal lighthouse on the shore of Lake Michigan. All the way over to Green Island out in Green Bay, which is almost 17 miles. So, on a clear day, you can almost see forever.”
Osgood says the $7.5-8 million tower is the newest museum attraction, providing educational displays, and a hands-on look at the area’s maritime history, and views of Sturgeon Bay’s working waterfront.
“Everything that’s going on here today. Every day, more and more recreational boats are hitting the waters, and it’s fun just to sit here and watch what’s happening in the shipyard.”
On Monday, crews installed video monitors for the first floor theater room, and stewardship experience.
Maritime Museum Deputy Director Sam Perlman tells FOX 11 more exhibit floors will be phased in by next year, but the first, tenth, and observation deck should be ready by Saturday.
“People have asked, has this gotten old? And not by a long shot. We love coming up here, and we are so excited to be able to share this view, and this amazing new facility, with our public, very soon.”
The christening is scheduled for Saturday at 11 a.m.
Officials say masks aren’t required, but are recommended at all Door County Museum Properties.
