In 1975, Jim and Francis Dutton got the wild idea that a rural Egg Harbor farm with a dilapidated barn could be transformed into music camp for aspiring youth musicians. That’s when the old Tishler family farm became the Birch Creek Music Performance Center. Four decades on it is one of the most respected summer music camps and performance centers in the Midwest.

The Egg Harbor Historical Society will recognize this remarkable repurposing of a historic barn and landscape at its Winter Historical Program March 26, at Birch Creek’s Juniper Hall from 1 – 3 pm. Wisconsin historian and author William Tishler will give a presentation on the early days of the Tishler farm, while Fran Dutton will talk about the early days of Birch Creek and how her husband’s daring vision became reality.

Light refreshments will be offered after the program, which is free and open to the public. Donations are welcome.

The Birch Creek Music Performance center has grown from primitive music camp to become one of the peninsula’s premier performing arts centers. Each year Birch Creek hosts more than 200 students and a staff of 100 over a span of eight summer weeks.

For more information about the program email eggharborwihistory@gmail.com or call Myles Dannhausen Sr. at 920-421-0790.