Heritage Hill State Historical Park


Heritage Hill State Historical Park, is a 56-acre open-air museum located in Allouez, Wisconsin. A Wisconsin state park, the site is operated by a non-profit organization called the Heritage Hill Corporation in partnership with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. The Heritage Hill Corporation operates, maintains and develops the park under terms of a lease with the DNR.
The site contains 26 historical and reproduction structures, mostly endangered historic buildings moved from other locations plus a few modern reconstructions. The Park is divided into four main areas: The Fur Trade, representing the first contact and fur trade industry in Wisconsin; The Growing Community, representing Green Bay's beginnings as a burgeoning metropolis in the late 19th century; The Belgian Farmstead, a representation of immigrant farming communities in the early 20th century; and Fort Howard, a reconstruction of how Fort Howard would have stood on the west side of Green Bay in the mid-19th century.
The park is open year-round with the majority of programming occurring May—September. The park is staffed by costumed guides called "interpreters".

History

Previously the property was used as a prison farm with orchards tended by prison labor. Construction of highway 172 across the Fox River cut off the farm from the prison and the land fell under the jurisdiction of the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. In 1972 the DNR Natural Resources Board approved the establishment of a historical park. In a meeting held at Cotton House on July 18, 1972, the name Heritage Hill State Historical Park was chosen for the new historic site. At the same time a proposed development plan and an opening date of May 1, 1977, was selected. Over the next 20 years more than 25 buildings and 15 acres of land were added to the park. Preservation of the buildings and its artifacts and the interpretation of the history of Northeastern Wisconsin and its people remains a primary objective.

Collections

Heritage Hill has more than 9,000 artifacts in its collection, mostly displayed in the buildings. Some of this collection is on loan from the Green Bay-De Pere Antiquarians, Brown County Historical Society, and Wisconsin Historical Society. The collection includes original artwork, books, clothing and furnishings dating from the 17th century to present. One unique piece displayed in the Tank Cottage is a hand-painted screen that the Tank family brought with them when they moved to Wisconsin in the late 1600s.

Education Center

In 2006, the Betsy Hendrickson and Lucyanna Hitch Education Center was constructed. The center allows year-round use for education programs as well as business meetings, receptions, and parties. Education programs draw about 18,000 students per year. Students acquire a first hand look at how their early relatives worked and played. The programs meet benchmarks and standards in history and social studies.

List of structures

Six of the site's structures are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. The park's Belgian Farmstead and Moravian church were listed on the National Register but were delisted upon being relocated. Seven other buildings in the park collection are modern replicas constructed on-site.
Structure name and locationImageOriginal locationOriginal build dateMoved to parkConstruction/style/notes
Allouez Town Hall
2143 South Webster, Allouez19121977Wood framed with gable roof
Baird Law Office
Main and Monroe
Green Bay
18351975Greek Revival
Listed on the NRHP in 1970
Bark Chapel
Constructed on site1981N/ASapling framework with bark covering, replica of the first church in Wisconsin which was about 1 mile south of its location
Belgian Farmstead Farmhouse
Rosiere18721984Log with brick veneer Listed on the NRHP as the Massart Farmstead but was removed in 1984.
Belgian Farmstead Dairy Barn
Rosiere19001984Log/astylistic utilitarian
Belgian Farmstead Horse Barn
Rosiere19001984Log/astylistic utilitarian
Belgian Farmstead chicken coop
Rosiere18721984Log/astylistic utilitarian
Belgian Farmstead pig house
Rosiere18721984Log/astylistic utilitarian
Belgian Farmstead outhouse
Rosiere18721984Astylistic utilitarian
Belgian Farmstead summer kitchen
Rosiere19021984Cut stone
Belgian Farmstead Roadside Chapel
Duvall18711983Wood frame
Belgian Farmstead windmill
Duvall18711983Metal
Blacksmith Shop
Danz and University
Green Bay
18501976Wood frame
Cheese Factory
Slovan18941994Wood framed
Cotton House
Beaupre and Webster
Green Bay
18451938Timber frame/Greek Revival
Listed on the NRHP in 1970
Court House
Door County1976Full log with dovetail joints
Court House Monument
At current location1934Stone and Mortar
This monument marks the site of the first court house in 1825
Fort Howard Guard Building
Kellogg and Chestnut
Green Bay
18332014Half of this structure is a restoration of the original guard building from the fort and half is a replica. The reconstruction in 2014 at the park was done in conjunction with renovations to the Commanding Officer's Quarters.
Fort Howard Hospital
Kellogg and Chestnut
Green Bay
18351975Timber frame w/ clapboards/Federal
Listed on the NRHP in 1979
Hospital was originally constructed as an addition to the Ward Building but they were split when they were moved in the 1930s. The reconstruction in 1975 at the park recombined the buildings.
Fort Howard Ward Building
Kellogg and Chestnut
Green Bay
18161975Timber frame w/ clapboards/Federal
Listed on the NRHP in 1979
Fort Howard Post School
Constructed on site1982N/AFederal
Fort Howard Company
Kitchen/Orderly Room
Kellogg and Chestnut
Green Bay
18161975Federal - timber frame
Listed on the NRHP in 1979
This structure is listed on the NRHP as Fort Howard Officer’s Quarters. The park currently interprets this building as the Kitchen/Orderly room.
Fort Howard Officer's Quarters
Constructed on site1982N/AFederal
Franklin Hose Company
Main and Irwin
Green Bay
18701975Wood frame
Fur Trader's Cabin
739 Adams St
Green Bay
18101975Pièce-sur-pièce à coulisse
Maple Sugaring House
Constructed on site1981N/ALog
Moravian Church
Moravian St
Green Bay
18421980Timber framed Gothic Revival
Listed on the NRHP in 1972 as the East Moravian Church but later delisted in 1983.
Print Shop
Constructed
on site
1976N/AWood framed
Tank Cottage
On Fox River at 8th Street
Green Bay
17761976Pièce-sur-pièce à coulisse
Listed on the NRHP in 1970. This building is the oldest standing house in Wisconsin
Tank barn
Constructed on siteN/A
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
At current location1938N/ADry-stacked limestone
Victorian Bandstand
Constructed on site1982N/AVictorian
YMCA Library
810 Chestnut St
Green Bay
18721977Wood framed w/ brick veneer/Greek Revival
Visitors center
Constructed on siteN/A
Maintenance/restoration building
Constructed on siteN/A