Scandinavian Cottage

This cottage, made of hand hewn logs, was built by a member of the Olson family in Ephraim, and is thought to date back to the late 19th century. In consideration of the Scandinavian heritage of the Olson family, and much of Sister Bay, the Historical Society decided to name this home the Scandinavian Cottage. The furniture and other decorative items inside are typical of those from Sweden or Norway, and were donated by local residents.

This log cabin was originally a home, then was used as a rental cottage. With its second floor, it certainly offered more space than the rustic wood cabins displayed earlier on this tour, but in the wintertime, a large family must have gotten to know each other pretty well in a home of this size. Note some of the interesting furnishings inside: the bed, which is a replica of a Scandinavian bed built by a local Sister Bay couple for their daughter, an oak ice box, a beautiful wooden trunk, and a Scandinavian door harp. The upholstered sofa and two matching chairs were brought to Door County from Sweden many years ago and donated by a Door County resident.

Scandinavian Cottage: https://sisterbayhistory.org/museum/the-olson-cabin/