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 (DNR). 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 location Image Original location Original build date Moved to park Construction/style/notes Allouez Town Hall 2143 South Webster, Allouez 1912 1977 Wood framed with gable roof Baird Law Office Main and MonroeGreen Bay 1835 1975 Greek RevivalListed on the NRHP in 1970 (#70000025) Bark Chapel Constructed on site 1981 N/A Sapling framework with bark covering, replica of the first church in Wisconsin which was about 1 mile south of its locationplaque in chapel Belgian Farmstead Farmhouse Rosiere 1872 1984 Log with brick veneer Listed on the NRHP as the Massart Farmstead (#80000143) but was removed in 1984. Belgian Farmstead Dairy Barn Rosiere 1900 1984 Log/astylistic utilitarian Belgian Farmstead Horse Barn Rosiere 1900 1984 Log/astylistic utilitarian Belgian Farmstead chicken coop Rosiere 1872 1984 Log/astylistic utilitarian Belgian Farmstead pig house Rosiere 1872 1984 Log/astylistic utilitarian Belgian Farmstead outhouse Rosiere 1872 1984 Astylistic utilitarian Belgian Farmstead summer kitchen Rosiere 1902 1984 Cut stone Belgian Farmstead Roadside Chapel Duvall 1871 1983 Wood frame Belgian Farmstead windmill Duvall 1871 1983 Metal Blacksmith Shop Danz and UniversityGreen Bay 1850 1976 Wood frame Cheese Factory SlovanDisplay sign at building, "Originally constructed in 1894, this cheese factory was located in Kewaunee County near Slovan." 1894 1994 Wood framed Cotton House Beaupre and WebsterGreen Bay 1845 1938 Timber frame/Greek RevivalListed on the NRHP in 1970 (#70000026) Court House Door County 1976 Full log with dovetail joints Court House Monument At current location 1934 Stone and MortarThis monument marks the site of the first court house in 1825 Fort Howard Guard Building Kellogg and ChestnutGreen Bay 1833From letter from Engle to Quartermaster Jesup dated Sept 30, 1833 2014 Half 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 ChestnutGreen Bay 1835 1975 Timber frame w/ clapboards/FederalListed on the NRHP in 1979 (#71001075)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 ChestnutGreen Bay 1816 1975 Timber frame w/ clapboards/FederalListed on the NRHP in 1979 (#72001547) Fort Howard Post School Constructed on site 1982 N/A Federal Fort Howard CompanyKitchen/Orderly Room Kellogg and ChestnutGreen Bay 1816 1975 Federal - timber frameListed on the NRHP in 1979 (#72001548)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 site 1982 N/A Federal Franklin Hose Company Main and IrwinGreen Bay 1870 1975 Wood frame Fur Trader's Cabin 739 Adams StGreen Bay 1810 1975 Pièce-sur-pièce à coulisse Maple Sugaring House Constructed on site 1981 N/A Log Moravian Church Moravian StGreen Bay 1842 1980 Timber framed Gothic Revival Listed on the NRHP in 1972 as the East Moravian Church (#72001588) but later delisted in 1983. Print Shop Constructedon site 1976 N/A Wood framed Tank Cottage On Fox River at 8th StreetGreen Bay 1776 1976 Pièce-sur-pièce à coulisseListed on the NRHP in 1970 (#70000028). This building is the oldest standing house in Wisconsin Tank barn Constructed on site N/A Tomb of the Unknown Soldier At current location 1938 N/A Dry-stacked limestone Victorian Bandstand Constructed on site 1982 N/A Victorian YMCA Library 810 Chestnut StGreen Bay 1872 1977 Wood framed w/ brick veneer/Greek Revival Visitors center Constructed on site N/A Maintenance/restoration building Constructed on site N/A

See also National Register of Historic Places listings in Brown County, Wisconsin List of the oldest buildings in Wisconsin

References

Notes

External links

Heritage Hill State Historical Park official site