From the letters of Harry E. Dankoler, May 1946 and October 1947: "About 50 years ago, when planning to some day retire to a country place with my wife and son Sylvester, I painted a small sign with the name "SYLVAN LODGE," as that is the name I was to give it. Matters turned out differently but I did finally (alone) open up my dream place, and the sign today is on one of the stone pillars of Sylvan Lodge."

"....in 1908...I visited Sturgeon Bay, Mr. Crandall urged me to locate here and offered to sell me 20 acres....six months later (I) made the purchase . . . so for four years I gradually had the work done, and finally, in the spring of 1912, I built Sylvan Lodge that should endure for a thousand years at least if it is not earlier displaced by the wheels of progress."

Well, the wheels of progress have certainly turned much since "Uncle Harry's" day. Now with Jeff and Mary Goking Campbell as only the fourth owners of this property, and after many months of tender loving care, the Campbells have rekindled the dream and have returned these historic buildings to their original purpose. The new Sylvan Lodge Retreat still maintains the same parcel of land that was purchased by Harry E. Dankoler (founder of the Door County Historical Society), the sign still remains today on that same pillar, and our dream is the same as "Uncle Harry's": to provide a place that nourishes the soul as well as your health.

The mission of Sylvan Lodge Retreat is to provide a non-denominational facility for the purpose of personal and spiritual growth through planned and self-directed retreats.

The focus is to help individuals, couples, families, and small groups to interact in a quiet, peaceful setting and develop practices to better relate to the world around them. We also welcome executive getaways, family reunions, or simply lodging. Jeff, an experienced chef, can provide any or all meals for retreats at our facility or you can arrange to provide your own. We are willing to customize menus to fulfill any requests you may have. The possibilities are numerous.

If you are a workshop leader and are interested in renting our space to hold your own retreat, please contact us.