Volunteering as a Baileys Harbor Range Light docent is about interacting with people and telling the story of the people who lived in the Upper Range Light.  There is so much history packed into the 154 year old Upper Range Light – if only these walls could talk.  But wait, that is where you, the range light docent, come in!

Docents help people understand what life was like for the lighthouse keepers and their families, and for those who lived in the Town of Baileys Harbor and the surrounding area in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.  Logging, fishing and quarrying were Door County’s main industries back then, and shipping on the Great Lakes was the only way to transport people and goods to and from the Door Peninsula.

In 1923 the Range Lights were automated and no one lived in the house until 1930 when Lutheran ministers used it as a parsonage. During the recent restoration of the range light, newspapers from the minister’s time were found under the linoleum flooring in the parlor. The newspapers, dating from the 1940’s, were still in good condition so clippings from the papers were arranged on poster boards and hung in the rooms for display. These newspaper collages are always a favorite of visitors, giving them the opportunity to read about life as it was 80 years ago.

In 1923 the Range Lights were automated and no one lived in the house until 1930 when Lutheran ministers used it as a parsonage. During the recent restoration of the range light, newspapers from the minister’s time were found under the linoleum flooring in the parlor. The newspapers, dating from the 1940’s, were still in good condition so clippings from the papers were arranged on poster boards and hung in the rooms for display. These newspaper collages are always a favorite of visitors, giving them the opportunity to read about life as it was 80 years ago.

Another important date for the range lights was 1935 when the federal government transferred the property around the range lights to Door County. This eventually led to the formation of The Ridges Sanctuary due to the steadfast determination of some early conservationists.

Docents interpret the history of the range lights, and have an opportunity to discuss a variety of other issues with visitors, including the importance of lighthouse keepers, why the waters surrounding Door County are so treacherous or just sharing stories about discovering Door County and The Ridges Sanctuary. It’s the interaction with visitors that makes volunteering as a docent so rewarding.

If you like working with people and are interested in sharing information about maritime history, lighthouses and life in Door County in the 1800’s, volunteering as a Baileys Harbor Range Light docent may be for you.

Opportunities for the Baileys Harbor Range Lights resident docent program are available. For more information, go to The Ridges Sanctuary’s website at Baileys Harbor Range Lights – The Ridges Sanctuary.