Norm Aulabaugh, author of The Park stopped by around closing time last evening. Norm has always been good about paying a visit when he is in town to check on our stock of his book and his video. The projects were produced to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the crown jewel of Wisconsin’s state park system. Norm is one of the founders of the recently organized Friends of Peninsula State Park, and his book and video are both fundraising projects, with proceeds going back to the Friends group. A worthy cause to be sure, and surprising to consider that the Park had operated without an auxiliary for so long.
Aulabaugh’s book The Park is a sort of memoir-ish history of Peninsula State Park. It combines stories of the author’s recollections of years of visits with stories from other Park regulars and historical bits and pieces from the earliest days through to the present. Aulabaugh’s book outlines the history of the Park and interlaces the narrative with stories of his own experiences from camping in the Park as boy, to his honeymoon there, and annual trips since. The video is a four season tour depicting all of the Park’s most recognizable landmarks and features as well as panoramic aerial views.
Door County native and professor emeritus from the University of Wisconsin – Madison, Bill Tischler, released his book on the Park in 2006. Door County’s Emerald Treasure: A History of Peninsula State Park is a comprehensive history of the Park from the period preceding its founding to recent years. Tischler’s book not only provides a history of the Park itself, but also sets it within the context of the movement that created the state park system. An important addition to the history of our peninsula, Door County’s Emerald Treasure will be of interest to readers for years to come.
Our own Peninsula Partners Publishing also made a contribution to the anniversary celebration. Our second map reprint was from the 1914 plat book for Door County, and depicts the township of Gibraltar. This is the first land-ownership plat that shows the Park with its current boundaries. The map shows several parcels of land still in private ownership within the park boundaries and some early roadways, and Horseshoe island still owned by the Folda family.
With only a few months remaining in the Park’s centennial year, perhaps it would be of interest to do a bit of reading on the history of this important Door County institution. There is no better place to start than with these two recent books. Better still, visit www.peninsulafriends.org and join the newly formed auxiliary to show your support of the Park. I understand that these days the Friends are busy in their battles against invasive plants spreading through the forest. According to Norm, garlic mustard continues to be a huge problem, but they are making progress against honeysuckle. I am sure the Friends would appreciate a hand, however you could offer it.