Ephraim: A Village of Values
Building a sense of place while supporting historic preservation.
by Cody Schreck
Ephraim, A Village of Values, from the EHF Archival Collection.
Two-and-a-half decades of preservation around the village had been undertaken by the Ephraim Foundation when efforts began to expand the impact of the organization’s work. The 1970s for the Foundation were marked by the acquisition of the Goodletson Cabin, an early home built originally on Horseshoe Island in the 1850s and later moved to the current Eagle Harbor Inn property; the acquisition of property owned by Olga Dana on Water Street; the installation of a replica memorial pole at Peninsula Golf Course; and the solidification of a partnership with Peninsula Music Festival, who utilized the Pioneer Schoolhouse as their headquarters. In all, projects were growing in number and significance for the Foundation. Despite all the significant accomplishments for the Foundation during this time, the most impactful may have been an unassuming silver and blue brochure.
In order to expand the organization’s working funds to accommodate an increasing number of projects, and to espouse the importance of Ephraim’s heritage to a wider audience, a small accordion-fold brochure entitled “Ephraim: A Village of Values” was published by the Ephraim Foundation featuring sketches by Charles Peterson, and text by Marguerite Schumann. Copies of the brochure were mailed to every property owner and taxpayer in the Village of Ephraim, along with a small note at the end requesting contributions.
The publication focused on several main themes that made Ephraim unique: natural landscapes, architecture, culture, and history. The examples given for each of the themes are still fixtures of the village today that many take for granted, including: a well-maintained historic district, active and philanthropic religious organizations, a beloved Scandinavian ethnic festival, a thriving group of artists and musicians, renowned restaurants and small businesses, and of course preserved historic buildings and museums.
Through themed sections, the brochure provides a clear overview of what makes Ephraim unique, but the central message laid out in the “Village of Values” was a warning. Changing tourism, housing demands, increased traffic, unchecked development, and water pollution were all explicitly mentioned as threats facing the Village of Ephraim. Despite this seemingly gloomy outlook, the brochure was not boasting anti-change rhetoric; the message was more nuanced. That nuanced message is best explained as it was written in the brochure:
“This is the time when it is urgently necessary to renew efforts to preserve Ephraim… A preservation effort to safeguard a classic village such as Ephraim is not simply the action of a gallant band of traditionalists fighting against change; it is a carefully reasoned opposition with a positive focus.”
Print proof of 'Ephraim, A Village of Values', from the EHF Archival Collection.
The sentiment and approach laid out so plainly here is one that would set the tone not only for the Ephraim Foundation’s future efforts, but also for the efforts of the Village and other community organizations. Ephraim Village Board is credited in the brochure for actively preserving Ephraim through zoning, statutes, and commercial licensing; The Peninsula Arts Association is acknowledged for preserving the artistic and cultural heritage of Ephraim; Ephraim Business Council is mentioned for its concerns promoting sustainable commercial interests; and the Ephraim Men’s Club is noted for its assistance in supporting various efforts in the village. All together these groups, as well as the Ephraim Foundation, were positioned as champions of a newly posited ethos, “The Ephraim Idea.”
Print proof of 'Ephraim, A Village of Values', from the EHF Archival Collection.
That idea was simple, to collaboratively establish a clear understanding of Ephraim’s unique characteristics, and why they were worth saving. Those who visited and lived here knew of these unique characteristics, but never before was there a consolidated call to action to preserve them in the way that “Ephraim: A Village of Values” had done. The brochure should rightly be credited with being one o the first attempts, if not the first, to posit an all-encompassing approach to preserving a community’s “sense of place” through acknowledging and anticipating threats to heritage, the arts, the environment, and overall quality of life.
Print proof of 'Ephraim, A Village of Values', from the EHF Archival Collection.
Much more than just an artifact of history, "Ephraim: A Village of Values" lives on through the legacy it left behind on local approaches to preservation, and through its continued relevance to contemporary issues. Nearly fifty years have passed since the brochure was first published, yet we are facing similar challenges today. In fact, one would have trouble distinguishing the publication date of "Ephraim, A Village of Values'' simply by reading the content. Unsustainable tourism, overdevelopment, water pollution, and housing are as hotly contested in Door County today as they were in 1975. Looking at Ephraim in comparison to its neighbors, however, shows that the amazing foresight of the individuals who dedicated their time to creating and distributing this brochure cannot be overstated. While communities across the region have given in to the allure of new developments at the expense of their historic structures, Ephraim has maintained its sense of place and authenticity through the approaches laid out in “Ephraim: A Village of Values."
Individuals today, whether they are regular visitors, property owners, or members of local community organizations, would benefit greatly from reading the small unassuming brochure from the 1970s. "Ephraim: A Village of Values" is a shining example of history’s relevance to our life today. Copies of the original brochure, and some early drafts, are preserved in the Ephraim Historical Foundation archives. To view these documents, contact us to make an appointment for the Svalhus Research Library.
