Heritage Hill State Historical Park

Heritage Hill State Historical Park, also called Heritage Hill State Park, is a 48-acre (19 ha) open-air museum located mainly east of WIS 57 in Allouez near Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States. A Wisconsin state park, the site is operated by a non-profit organization called the Heritage Hill Foundation 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.

Heritage Hill State Historical Park
IUCN category V (protected landscape/seascape)
Park sign
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Location	Brown, Wisconsin, United States
Coordinates	44°28′26″N 88°1′59″W
Area	48 acres (19 ha)
Established	1972
Governing body	Heritage Hill Foundation
Website	Heritage Hill State Historical Park

The site contains more than 30 historical structures, mostly endangered historic buildings moved from other locations plus a few modern reconstructions. The structures include log cabins from the fur trade era, buildings from Fort Howard, and stores and public buildings from the late 19th century.

Live historic interpreters, wearing period style clothing, populate the park during summer operations.

History

Previously the property was used as a prison farm with orchards tended by prison labor. Construction of a new bridge 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.[1] 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 6,600 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. Heritage Hall, located in the Education Center features rotating displays of items not able to be shown in buildings.

Education Center

In 2006 the eBetsy 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 44.475789°N 88.034823°W / 44.475789; -88.034823 (Allouez Town Hall)		2143 South Webster, Allouez	1912	1977	Wood framed with gable roof[2]
Baird Law Office 44.475627°N 88.034484°W / 44.475627; -88.034484 (Baird Law Office)		Main and Monroe Green Bay	1835	1975	Greek Revival[3] Listed on the NRHP in 1970 (#70000025)
Bark Chapel 44.474768°N 88.038225°W / 44.474768; -88.038225 (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 location[4]
Belgian Farmstead Farmhouse 44.473360°N 88.032772°W / 44.473360; -88.032772 (Farmhouse)		Rosiere	1872	1984	Log with brick veneer[5] Listed on the NRHP as the Massart Farmstead (#80000143) but was removed in 1984.
Belgian Farmstead Dairy Barn 44.473165°N 88.033144°W / 44.473165; -88.033144 (Dairy Barn)		Rosiere	1900	1984	Log/astylistic utilitarian[6]
Belgian Farmstead Horse Barn 44.473246°N 88.032473°W / 44.473246; -88.032473 (Horse Barn)		Rosiere	1900	1984	Log/astylistic utilitarian[7]
Belgian Farmstead chicken coop 44.473085°N 88.032492°W / 44.473085; -88.032492 (chicken coop)		Rosiere	1872	1984	Log/astylistic utilitarian[8]
Belgian Farmstead pig house 44.473035°N 88.033194°W / 44.473035; -88.033194 (pig house)		Rosiere	1872	1984	Log/astylistic utilitarian[9]
Belgian Farmstead outhouse 44.473329°N 88.033078°W / 44.473329; -88.033078 (outhouse)		Rosiere	1872	1984	Astylistic utilitarian[10]
Belgian Farmstead summer kitchen 44.473355°N 88.033008°W / 44.473355; -88.033008 (summer kitchen)		Rosiere	1902	1984	Cut stone[11]
Belgian Farmstead Roadside Chapel 44.473507°N 88.032392°W / 44.473507; -88.032392 (Roadside Chapel)		Duvall	1871	1983	Wood frame[12]
Belgian Farmstead windmill 44.473244°N 88.033063°W / 44.473244; -88.033063 (windmill)		Duvall	1871	1983	Metal[13]
Blacksmith Shop 44.475521°N 88.034400°W / 44.475521; -88.034400 (Blacksmith Shop)		Danz and University Green Bay	1850	1976	Wood frame[14]
Cheese Factory 44.473673°N 88.032846°W / 44.473673; -88.032846 (Cheese Factory)		Slovan[15]	1894	1994	Wood framed
Cotton House 44.473730°N 88.030345°W / 44.473730; -88.030345 (Cotton House)		Beaupre and Webster Green Bay	1845	1938	Timber frame/Greek Revival[16] Listed on the NRHP in 1970 (#70000026)
Court House 44.476039°N 88.037164°W / 44.476039; -88.037164 (Court House)		Door County	before 1814	1976	Full log with dovetail joints
Court House Monument 44.475722°N 88.037461°W / 44.475722; -88.037461 (Court House Monument)		At current location	1934		Stone and Mortar This monument marks the site of the first court house in 1825
Fort Howard Guard Building 44.473936°N 88.034135°W / 44.473936; -88.034135 (Guard Building)		Kellogg and Chestnut Green Bay	1833[note 1]	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.[17]
Fort Howard Hospital 44.474241°N 88.034359°W / 44.474241; -88.034359 (Hospital)		Kellogg and Chestnut Green Bay	1835	1975	Timber frame w/ clapboards/Federal[18] Listed 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 44.474170°N 88.034197°W / 44.474170; -88.034197 (Ward Building)		Kellogg and Chestnut Green Bay	1816	1975	Timber frame w/ clapboards/Federal[19] Listed on the NRHP in 1979 (#72001547)
Fort Howard Post School 44.474337°N 88.033840°W / 44.474337; -88.033840 (Post School)		Constructed on site	1982	N/A	Federal
Fort Howard Company Kitchen/Orderly Room 44.474252°N 88.033650°W / 44.474252; -88.033650 (Kitchen)		Kellogg and Chestnut Green Bay	1816	1975	Federal - timber frame[20] Listed 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.[21]
Fort Howard Officer's Quarters 44.473917°N 88.033696°W / 44.473917; -88.033696 (Fort Howard Officer's Quarters)		Constructed on site	1982	N/A	Federal[22]
Franklin Hose Company 44.474882°N 88.033840°W / 44.474882; -88.033840 (Franklin Hose Company)		Main and Irwin Green Bay	1870	1975	Wood frame[23]
Fur Trader's Cabin 44.475220°N 88.038091°W / 44.475220; -88.038091 (Fur Trader's Cabin)		739 Adams St Green Bay	1810	1975	Pièce-sur-pièce à coulisse[24]
Maple Sugaring House 44.475621°N 88.037581°W / 44.475621; -88.037581 (Maple Sugaring House)		Constructed on site	1981	N/A	Log
Moravian Church 44.474732°N 88.032199°W / 44.474732; -88.032199 (Moravian Church)		Moravian St Green Bay	1842	1980	Timber framed Gothic Revival[25] Listed on the NRHP in 1983 as the East Moravian Church (#72001588) but later delisted, date unknown.
Print Shop 44.475458°N 88.034302°W / 44.475458; -88.034302 (Print Shop)		Constructed on site	1976	N/A	Wood framed
Tank Cottage 44.475549°N 88.035927°W / 44.475549; -88.035927 (Tank Cottage)		On Fox River at 8th Street Green Bay	1776	1976	Pièce-sur-pièce à coulisse[26] Listed on the NRHP in 1970 (#70000028). This building is the oldest standing house in Wisconsin[27]
Tank barn 44.475621°N 88.035521°W / 44.475621; -88.035521 (Tank barn)		Constructed on site		N/A
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier 44.473606°N 88.030844°W / 44.473606; -88.030844 (Tomb of the Unknown Soldier)		At current location	1938	N/A	Dry-stacked limestone
Victorian Bandstand 44.475200°N 88.034720°W / 44.475200; -88.034720 (Bandstand)		Constructed on site	1982	N/A	Victorian
YMCA Library 44.475380°N 88.034056°W / 44.475380; -88.034056 (YMCA Library)		810 Chestnut St Green Bay	1872	1977	Wood framed w/ brick veneer/Greek Revival[28]
Visitors center 44.473465°N 88.031448°W / 44.473465; -88.031448 (Visitors center)		Constructed on site		N/A
Maintenance/restoration building 44.475031°N 88.032816°W / 44.475031; -88.032816 (Maintenance)		Constructed on site		N/A

Climate

Heritage Hill State Park Climate chart (explanation) J F M A M J J A S O N D     62     −8 −13     62     −6 −11     66     1 −8     141     16 1     105     20 7     106     24 14     108     28 16     88     27 15     72     22 12     121     12 5     68     5 −2     61     −5 −11 Average max. and min. temperatures in °C Precipitation totals in mm Source: [29] Imperial conversion J F M A M J J A S O N D     2.4     18 9     2.4     21 12     2.6     34 18     5.6     61 34     4.1     68 45     4.2     75 57     4.3     82 61     3.5     81 59     2.8     72 54     4.8     54 41     2.7     41 28     2.4     23 12 Average max. and min. temperatures in °F Precipitation totals in inches

See also

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

References

1. "History of the Park". Heritage Hill State Historical Park. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
2. "ALLOUEZ TOWN HALL". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
3. "BAIRD LAW OFFICE". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
4. plaque in chapel
5. "Massart Farmstead". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
6. "Belgian Farmstead Dairy Barn". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
7. "Belgian Farmstead Horsebarn". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
8. "Belgian Farmstead Chicken Coop". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
9. "Belgian Farmstead Pig House". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
10. "Belgian Farmstead Outhouse". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
11. "Belgian Farmstead Kitchen". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
12. "Roadside Chapel". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
13. "Windmill". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
14. "DEWITT BLACKSMITH SHOP". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
15. Display sign at building, "Originally constructed in 1894, this cheese factory was located in Kewaunee County near Slovan."
16. "Captain John Winslow Cotton House". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
17. "Fort Howard Guard House Campaign". Heritage Hill State Historical Park. Archived from the original on October 22, 2014. Retrieved October 28, 2014.
18. "Fort Howard Hospital". National Register or State Register. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
19. "Fort Howard Ward Building". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
20. "Fort Howard Officers' Quarters". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
21. "Company Kitchen/Orderly Room". Heritage Hill Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
22. "Fort Howard Officer's Quarters". Heritage Hill Foundation. Archived from the original on 22 October 2014. Retrieved 24 October 2014.
23. "FRANKLIN FIRE HOUSE #2624". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
24. "Fur Traders Cabin". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
25. "East Side Moravian Church". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
26. "Tank Cottage". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
27. "Wisconsin's Logging Camps Attract Tourists". Chicago Tribune. August 4, 1963. p. Section 6, p2. Retrieved 25 October 2014.
28. "YMCA". Architecture and History Inventory. Wisconsin Historical Society. Retrieved 23 October 2014.
29. "NASA Earth Observations Data Set Index". NASA. Retrieved 30 January 2016.

Notes

1. From letter from Engle to Quartermaster Jesup dated Sept 30, 1833

External links

• Heritage Hill State Historical Park official site