The Clearing, nestled in the heart of Door County, Wisconsin, stands as a unique educational retreat that has preserved the vision of its founder, Jens Jensen, for nearly a century. This distinctive folk school offers a peaceful sanctuary where visitors can reconnect with nature while pursuing creative and intellectual growth.
The Clearing was established in 1935 by renowned landscape architect Jens Jensen, a Danish immigrant who had gained prominence designing Chicago’s parks and private estates. After a distinguished career, Jensen, at age 75, sought to create a place where people could escape urban life and reconnect with the natural world. He purchased 128 acres of rugged woodland along the Niagara Escarpment, featuring dramatic limestone bluffs overlooking Green Bay.
Jensen named his retreat “The Clearing” to symbolize both a physical clearing in the forest and a clearing of the mind. His educational philosophy centered on the belief that immersion in nature inspires creativity and provides spiritual renewal.
The Clearing’s campus retains a rustic charm that honors Jensen’s vision. Stone and timber buildings, including the Lodge, the Schoolhouse, and various cabins, blend harmoniously with the surrounding landscape. Many structures were built by hand using local materials, reflecting Jensen’s commitment to regional authenticity.
The property encompasses diverse ecosystems—dense forests of maple, beech, and hemlock; open meadows dotted with wildflowers; and dramatic limestone bluffs providing panoramic views of the waters of Green Bay. Carefully planned footpaths wind through the property, offering contemplative walks and vistas that reveal Jensen’s mastery of landscape design.
Today, The Clearing continues its mission as a folk school, offering residential classes from May through October and day classes throughout the year. The curriculum embraces a wide range of subjects:
– Visual arts including painting, photography, and pottery
– Writing and poetry
– Natural sciences and ecology
– Music and performing arts
– Crafts such as woodcarving and fiber arts
– Landscape design and horticulture
Classes typically run for 5-7 days, with students staying on campus, sharing meals, and fully immersing themselves in the learning experience. The absence of televisions and limited connectivity helps participants disconnect from daily distractions.
The Clearing holds an important place in Door County’s cultural landscape. It serves as both a historic site preserving Jensen’s legacy and a living institution continuing his educational mission. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, it represents an important chapter in American environmental history and educational philosophy.
For Door County visitors, The Clearing offers a different experience from the peninsula’s more commercial attractions. Here, the focus remains on mindful engagement with nature, creative expression, and intellectual growth—values that have renewed relevance in our technology-saturated era.
While The Clearing primarily functions as an educational institution rather than a tourist attraction, it does offer guided tours during the summer months, allowing visitors to experience the grounds and learn about Jensen’s philosophy. These tours provide insight into both the historical significance of the property and its continuing educational mission.
For those seeking a deeper experience, enrolling in one of The Clearing’s classes offers the opportunity to fully engage with Jensen’s vision of education through immersion in nature’s classroom—a vision that continues to resonate with students nearly a century after he first cleared this special place in the woods of Door County.