Door County Maritime Museum – Jim Kress Tower
The Door County Maritime Museum, located on the working waterfront of Sturgeon Bay in northeast Wisconsin, has celebrated and shared the rich maritime history of Door County and the Great Lakes for more than 50 years. To continue that tradition, the museum engaged Boldt to construct the absolutely unique Jim Kress Maritime Lighthouse Tower. The 10-story, 110-foot-tall tower is the tallest structure in Door County and was completed in less than a year. Due to its close proximity to the active waterfront, extensive safety protocols were put in place during construction.
The tower features state-of-the-art interactive exhibits, designed to capture the imagination, immerse visitors in the experience of Wisconsin’s rich nautical heritage and inspire the next generation of Wisconsin’s workforce. Additionally, educational programs within museum emphasize the importance of Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts & Math (STEAM) in the area’s rich maritime economy. Exhibits in the new lighthouse tower fill a current void in the area to strengthen connections between business and industry with regional K-12 school districts and higher education institutions.
Door County Maritime Museum
Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
BMS Architect
Construction Manager
New Construction
Project Highlights
- Structurally, the tower is designed like an air traffic control tower, made entirely of steel with an EIFS finish.
- At its completion, the 10-story tower is the tallest structure in Door County.
- Boldt was engaged when designs were about 80% complete. Boldt worked collaboratively with the owner and architect to finalize the design and maximize the budget.
