Crossroads at BIG CREEK

We study history at Crossroads at Big Creek. Certainly, one can read history books to learn about wars and elections and social issues, but to learn about how people lived, few books are more revealing than a ledger from an old general store.

When the Door County Historical Society began recreating a typical Door County General Store at the Historical Village at The Crossroads, members of the committee were fortunate have access to several ledgers. The entries ttold the stories of the families. It's easy to tell the bachelor farmers from the family men. And even without the dates, one could chart the progression of the seasons.

For example, in spring, folks bought seeds and farm implements. In summer the credit columns filled up as people brought in the surplus from their gardens. And this time of year?

In August, most of the sales were to families with daughters. Twisted handkerchiefs gave up treasured coins, butter and egg money, or perhaps, wages for a summer of resort work, to purchase the fabric, the spool of thread, and the buttons for the new school dress.

Back to school meant, not a shopping blitz, but rather a careful cutting and stitching the "dress" of a young girls dreams. Petticoats could be made either of blue or pink flour sacking, but for a dress, new fabric was the thing. Hours of work went into making the dress.

By the end of the month, families would again have to return to the store for the appropriate readers, spellers, slates, tablets, and pens to start the school year right.

Before today's kids go back to school this year, perhaps they would enjoy a visit to the Greene General Store at The Crossroads. On Saturday and Sunday afternoons, costumed guides from the historical society proudly show off the village between 1:00 and 3:00. And the last stop is always the general store.

This week, the Chapel at the Crossroads looks particularly white and clean, thanks to the efforts of Wes Maier, who for his Eagle Scout project, organized the families of Troop 1021 in painting the Chapel. This was a huge undertaking and a job well done. Thanks Wes and company.

A lecture about General Stores will be offered on Monday afternoon, and that program will end with a visit to the Greene Store . On Tuesday, a back-to-school program will be presented in the Vignes School.

A number of nature programs will celebrate the glories of late summer wildflowers and insects. However, you don't have to wait for a naturalist program. Families may check out insect nets and field guides and explore the trails on their own.

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.