At The Boat House, we cherish the stories of Sturgeon Bay’s shoreline. What began as a hardworking waterfront has evolved into a collection of venue spaces, each with character, charm, and history.

Our story starts in 1895 with the Stone Basement (now known as The Boat House), originally part of the Reynold’s Preserving Company and later the Fruit Growers Canning Company. Door County’s famous cherry growers once delivered their harvest right to our doorstep, where the thick stone walls kept fruit cool and ready for canning. In its busiest season, the cannery processed more than nine million pounds of cherries, a chapter in the region’s heritage that still lives on today.

Just next door, Peterson Boat Works opened in 1907, crafting everything from sturdy commercial fishing boats to Navy vessels. The shipyard grew steadily through both world wars, eventually expanding to include the former cannery property. When operations slowed in the mid-1990s, the waterfront finally settled into a well-earned rest.

In 2004, Shipyard Development breathed new life into the property. The old shipyard evolved into The Shipyard neighborhood, home to CenterPointe Marina, a beautiful public waterfront walkway, and a collection of historic buildings.

Up the road, Palmer Johnson Yachts had been shaping its own legacy since 1918, crafting some of the world’s most admired vessels. When operations eventually came to a close, Shipyard Development acquired the property in 2012 and expanding their marina presence along the harbor.

Inspired by the area’s rich boatbuilding heritage, we envisioned a warm, spirited events destination where the waterfront’s past could shine in fresh, memorable ways. That vision became The Boat House, a collection of charming venues designed for everything from grand 500-person weddings to intimate rehearsal dinners, private celebrations, and corporate retreats.