Crossroads at BIG CREEK

The Historical Village at the Crossroads is a place to experience what life must have been like for early European settlers of Door County. Life was not easy but, as Hjalmar R. Holland pointed out in his History of Door County, Vol.1, "Having but slight individual means, the settlers were more dependent upon each other which made for greater neighborliness and sociability."

Often, that sociabilty occured during dances. A letter from Jesse Kimber to C.I. Martin, printed in his 1880 edition of History of Door County described the life of lumberjacks and millhands at the Crandall & Bradley Mill (near what now is called Little Lake.)

"In the early days there was no aristocracy---all were alike, and we enjoyed ourselves hugely--all were bound to enjoy themselves. We could get up a dance in half an hour; have a full house, and keep up the party until daylight, and then away to the woods again."

Holland also wrote of dancing. "The evening was givng up to the young foks, who came betimwe, and hunter the slipper, and spun the plate, and told fortunes, and paid forteits, and had such a jolly time as only good-natured laddes and buxom ladies know how to enjoy."

Dances were popular all over Door County. People in Fish Creek still talk about the dances above the general store. Old timers from the Newport area talk about walking to Baileys Harbor for a dance and walking back in time to milk the cows in the morning. Dances were enjoy by all generations.

We at Crossroads believe that people of all ages should know how to enjoy a good dance. So we are thrilled to host The Sugar on the Floor Barn Dance Society's FAMILY DANCE on Sunday, June 24 from 2:00-3:30 PM in the Vignes School at the Village at the Crossroads. Live music will be provided by the Sungar on the Floor Barn Dance Orchestra. LuAnne Desotelle (plus special guests) will be the caller. All dances will be taught and no experience is necessary. For further information,call (920) 743-7240.

Each Saturday and Sunday during the summer, including the day of the barn dance, costumed guides from the Door County Historical Society offer free tours of the Historical Village at the Crossroads between 1:00-3:00.

Those interested in the environment will not want to miss the next program in the Door County Environmental Council's Lecture Series. Catherine Carnes of , the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Serivce's Green Bay Field Office will present information on the Hine's Emerald Dragonfly. The free presentation will be held in the air conditioned comfort of the Collins Center Lecture Hall on Wednesday, June 20, at 7:00.

Crossroads at Big Creek is an historical and environmental learning preserve where learners of all ages can focus on science, history and the environment. Trails are open to the public. Dogs (on leash and under control) are allowed. Crossroads is located at the Intersection of Highway 42/57 and Michigan Street ( County TT ) in Sturgeon Bay.