Since 1949 the Ephraim Historical Foundation has led the effort to preserve the beauty and charm of Ephraim for future generations.
75 years
with the Ephraim Historical Foundation
Foundation and Village hire Researcher Claudette Steger to perform an historical survey
Historic properties are entered on the National Register
Foundation acquires the Smith property, later sold to the Village for Information Center
Foundation is awarded the State Historical Society of Wisconsin Achievement Award
Foundation acquires the historic 1880s Anderson Barn
Anderson Barn Museum restoration is completed and opens to the public
Foundation publishes Wiley’s Did the Eagle Get You, Dr. Moss?
“Bring Your Own Chair” (later, “History Speaks”) lecture series is established
Walking Tours of the village are initiated
The first annual Gibraltar 3rd Graders Tour
Sally Jacobson is hired as Foundation’s first curator/archivist
First Summer Social is launched to fund the newly established Heritage Endowment Fund
Sunday SingAlongs are reintroduced by George and Armella Norton
The Door County Letters of Anna and Anders Petterson, and Horseshoe Island, The Folda Years are published
Foundation develops annual children’s event “Children’s Day”
Historic Svalhus is donated to the Foundation and is reconstructed on Anderson Barn museum grounds with the help of donors
Foundation initiates Door County Historical Resource Association to include all Door County historical societies
Foudation initiates the Partnership Committee, which includes the Village Administrator and the non-profits of Ephraim, as a means to encourage collaboration and communication
Foundation acquires & endows the Anderson Store with funds from an anonymous donor
Foundation spearheads the celebration of Ephraim’s Sesquicentennial and publishes Half a Century with the Ephraim Foundation
Amazing Grazing cookbook is published
Name is changed to The Ephraim Historical Foundation, Inc. to reflect its mission and focus
Historic Iverson House is acquired and restored through a major fundraising effort
Foundation collaborates to publish Ephraim, one of the Images of America book series
ARC (Archival Resource Center) is completed and opened to the public with donated funding
Child’s Play program is launched
Foundation’s first tram is purchased with donated funds and tram tours are initiated
Foundation signs easement agreement to protect Bethany Lutheran Church historic properties
Foundation becomes the depository for the safe keeping of Bethany Church, EYC, and Peninsula State Park records
The Foundation is involved with the review of the Door County Historical Resource Association and the organization is re-launched as the Heritage Alliance of Door County
Foundation reprints Ephraim’s Founding Father and The Door County Letters of Anna and Anders Petterson
The EHF Teaching Trunk programs are launched with Gibraltar Schools
Foundation introduces new children’s program, Children’s Encounter with History