Heritage Hill
Heritage Hill State Historical Park is a living history state park devoted to the history of Northeastern Wisconsin and its people. The Park opened in 1977 on a 54 acre site with 24 historical and reproduction buildings representing the early history of Northeastern Wisconsin from 1672 to 1940. WiscoVR partnered with Heritage Hill to create a "Virtual Trip to Heritage Hill". Scroll down to explore videos, images, and 360 images of Heritage Hill State Park.
1. Education Center
(360 View)
Heritage Hill State Historical Park is a non-profit organization. They are a living history state park devoted to the preservation of buildings, artifacts and the interpretation of the history of Northeastern Wisconsin and its people. The Park opened in 1977 on a 54 acre site with 24 historical and reproduction buildings representing the early history of Northeastern Wisconsin from 1672 to 1940.
2. Cotton House
Living Room (360 View)
Kitchen (360 View)
Interpretive Year: Circa 1850
Building History: The Cotton House was built on land owned by Louis Beaupre, title transfer to John Arndt in 1826. John Cotton built the house sometime in the early 1840’s. The home belonged to the family until 1893. It was sold to J.W. Woodruff who lived there until 1896, then sold to the Catholic Diocese, who used it as an orphanage until 1933. Between 1938 and 1941 the home was moved to its present location and restored by the Brown County Historical Society, opening as a museum in 1941. In 1977 the home became a part of Heritage Hill. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Construction and architecture:
Building design is a fine sample of timber frame construction, model after the Greek Revival style popular from the 1820’s – 1850’s.
3. Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
During placement of the Cotton House, bones and a very deteriorated uniform with brass buttons were unearthed and believed to have belonged to a soldier from Camp Smith. In 1820-1822, Col. Smith wanted to move the location of Fort Howard to, what he believed, a more suitable location. He never received permission by the U.S. Government to move the location and soldiers returned to Fort Howard in 1822. The construction of the tomb was financed by Theodore Pamperin. The tomb, which was built in 1938, has a four ton slab of amberg granite forming the floor and roof while the sides are concrete. A sarcophagus holding the bones and buttons is placed on a bench of hammered granite. In 1994, the tomb was opened to show a large pile of bones as well as a complete skull.
4. Roadside Chapel
This Chapel was given to Heritage Hill by the LaLuzerne Family of Duvall and was restored to what it was like in the early 1900s. Joseph Derenne, Mrs. LaLuzerne’s father, built the Chapel after he was miraculously cured of cancer. Chapels such as this were a common sight near many of the Belgian farms in northeastern Wisconsin. They were probably built for the following reasons:
It was a tradition brought over from Europe (where they can still be seen).
They were built to commemorate an answered prayer or perhaps a “miracle” event in the lives of a farm family.
The chapel served as a place for the family to say daily prayers, and even for travelers to stop and say prayers or to say the Rosary. It is another indication of the extreme religious beliefs of the Belgian people.
Interpretive Year: 1905
Building History: It is believed that the farmhouse was built was built after the October 10, 1871, Peshtigo Fire. The Charles Massart Family owned the farmhouse; the summer kitchen and the small log structure. The structures were located in Rosiere. The barn belonged to the Lampereur family from Brussels, the pig barn belonged to the Ivan Draize family from Luxemburg, the chicken coup belonged to the Julian Romwald family, and the Roadside Chapel belonged to the LaLazerne family of Duvall. All were located in Kewaunee County.
Construction and architecture: The farmhouse is a log house with brick veneer. The brick is red, probably from the area, and cream, probably from the lakeshore, possibly Milwaukee area. The brick was added sometime after the house was constructed. The brick has a “quoins” design typical of homes in Belgium. The summer kitchen is made of limestone. The barn and other out buildings are of log construction.
Interpretive Year: 1905
Building History: This building was built in 1894 located in Kewaunee County a crossroad one mile south and east of Slovan. The original owner was listed as A. Anashek. He sold it to Joseph Adams and his wife Mary in 1895, who would have been operating it in 1905. They also owned the house and attached store that was on the property. Adams made numerous changes to the building adding a boiler room and steam engine. An addition was also added between 1907 & 1911. In 1911 Adams sold the factory to Frank Paplam, who sold it to Joseph Ouradnik in 1916, who sold it to the Zellner family in 1944. The Cheese Factory was donated to Heritage Hill in 1990 by the Zellner family, disassembled, moved and reassembled. In 1993, the Cheese Factory was opened to the public.
Construction and architecture: This structure was simple in design, built of box lumber with board and batten siding. The interior walls of the factory were sided with horizontal tongue and groove boards.
7. Officer's Quarters
Interpretive Year: 1836
Building History: This building is a replica of a surgeon’s quarters built in 1975
Construction and architecture: The architecture is of the Federal style, built with a frame construction with dormer windows
8. Company Kitchen/Orderly Room
(360 View)
Interpretive Year: 1836
Building History: This is an original building built by the 5th Infantry Regiment of the United States Army between 1831 and 1835. We do not know exactly how this building was used in 1836 but we interpret it as a Company Kitchen/Orderly Room. After the fort was dismantled the building was used as a private residence and a museum before coming to Heritage Hill in 1975.
Construction and architecture: The architecture style is of the Federalist period, framed construction with dormer windows.
9. Schoolhouse
(360 View)
Interpretive Year: 1836
Building History: The first school recorded at Fort Howard was in 1824, when Colonel McNeill, commander at the Fort,organized a school for the children of officer’s and children in the area. A building that was already erected served as this school.
Construction and architecture: The construction and architecture of the school is unknown, but it can be assumed that it would have been similar to other fort buildings following in the federal style of architecture. The building at Heritage Hill is a replica.
10. Hospital
Interpretive Year: 1836
Building History: The current building was built outside of the walls of the fort during the years of 1834 & 1835.The location was the same as the old hospital, which was condemned in 1826. After the purchase of the land by the railroad the hospital was moved to the corner of Kellogg and Chestnut Sts and used as a private residence. The Fort Howard Hospital was moved to Heritage Hill in 1975. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Construction and architecture: Building design is a fine sample of timber frame construction with dormer windows,modeled after the Federal architectural style popular from 1780 – 1830. The building was construct in two fazes and is actually two separate buildings.
11. Guardhouse
Guard room was used by officers on duty. They were on duty for 2 hours and off duty for 4 hours during a 24 hour cycle. They could nap when they were off duty, but they had to remain fully clothes with their equipment in hand.
Interpretive Year: 1852
Building History: The corner stone of this church was laid in October 1851, and dedicated in August 1852. The church was located in downtown Green Bay. In 1960 the church was sold to Grace Lutheran Church. It was moved to Heritage Hill in 1980 and re-dedicated on October 10, 1981. This church is the oldest standing church and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Construction and architecture: This building is of frame construction with spirals, finials, and scrolls on the steeple. The architectural style is Greek Revival.
In the 1800s, there were seperate companies that brought various things to fires such as: hose companies, ladder companies and water companies. It wasn't always possible for them to get to the fire at the same time.
13. Franklin Hose Company
Interpretive Year: 1891
Building History: The Franklin Hose Company No. 3, was built in 1887 and located on the corner of Main and Irwin Sts. This is the second building put up at this site for the purpose of a volunteer fire department. The Franklin Hose Company disbanded in 1891. The building was moved to Heritage Hill in 1975.
Construction and architecture: This building is of wood frame construction. The architecture is typical of the time period. The paint has been researched and found to be accurate.
14. Library
Interpretive Year: 1890
Building History: This building was located at 810 Chestnut St. It was built in 1873, with money solicited by Reverend William Curtis and constructed as a boys club. Mrs. Tank donated $1200.00 towards the construction of the building. The side wing was added in 1893. The Library was moved to Heritage Hill in 1977 and for a time was used as the Gift Shop.
Construction and architecture: The building is of a framed construction with a veneer of cream-colored brick.
15. Printshop
(360 View)
Interpretive Year: 1872
Building History: This building is a reproduction.
Construction and architecture: This building was modeled after a general store in Vermont. It was used as a general store and gift shop when it was first built in.
16. Blacksmith Shop
(360 View)
Interpretive Year: Circa 1897
Building History: The building was built by Henry M. DeWitt and stood on the corner of Danz and University
Construction and architecture: Basic Wood frame
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17. Baird Law Office
(360 View)
Interpretive Year: 1835
Building History: This building was constructed in 1835 by Samuel Beall at the corner of Main and Monroe Sts and used as a land office and Beall’s residence. Henry Baird bought the property in 1841 and used it as an office. It was moved several times before becoming a part of Heritage Hill in 1975. This building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Construction and architecture: Building design is a fine sample of timber frame construction, model after the Greek
Revival style popular from the 1820’s – 1850’s
18. Town Hall
(360 View)
Interpretive Year: 1912
Building History: The Allouez Town Hall was built in 1912 and stood at 2143 South Webster Ave. This building was moved to Heritage Hill in 1977 and was restored.
Construction and architecture: This building is of simple frame construction with a gabled roof typical of early 20th century municipal buildings.
19. Victorian Bandstand
(360 View)
The Victorian Bandstand was donated in 1982 by Frederick and Patricia Baer. It often is used for weddings and Music on the Green Events.
Interpretive Year: 1860
Building History: Tank Cottage was built around 1803 by Joseph Roy as a fur trader’s cabin. It was located on the west bank of the Fox River. Jacque Porlier bought the building and lived in it until about 1839. In 1850 Otto Tank bought the building and added both wings to the house. Caroline lived in the house until her death in 1891. Tank Cottage was owned by several other groups of people and was moved to Union Park, on the west side of Green Bay in 1907-08. For many years it was a house museum owned by the city of Green Bay. In 1975 the building came down the river on a barge and became a part of Heritage Hill State Historical Park. The building is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Construction and architecture: The building is constructed in the French style of piece-on-piece, meaning one log upon the other. Grooved upright logs are set in the ground at the corners, doors, and windows. The horizontal logs are cut to fit and placed on top of each other in the grooves. Cracks are chinked to give it a tight fit. Two framed wings were added to the house as well as a summer kitchen. A wattle and daub insulation was placed in the eaves. There are an unusual amount of doors and windows original to the cabin.
22. Courthouse
(360 View)
Interpretive Year: 1824 - 1830
Building History: This building was used as a granary in Door County and was moved to Heritage Hill in 1976.
Construction and architecture: Hand-hewn log construction. The furnishings were reconstructed from an 1824 Work Order.
23. Courthouse Monument
(360 View)
The Courthouse Monument was built in 1934 by inmates of the Green Bay Reformatory. Col. John Hannon and Dr. Joseph Schafer delivered the memorial address while the Reformatory Band and West De Pere High School Band played. This monument marks the site of the first courthouse in 1825. The grey granite it is constructed of was quarried by inmates at Antigo, WI. Space was left behind cornerstone to place a box to be used as a time capsule.
24. Maple Sugaring Shack
(360 View)
Interpretive Year: Circa 1891
This building is used for making maple syrup. This product was used to sweeten foods as brown or white sugar was expensive and harder to obtain.
25. Fur Trade Cabin
Interpretive Year: Circa 1800
Building History: The building was constructed around 1800. The original owner and early use of the building is unknown. The building was found inside of a house that was being torn down in order to construct the Tilleman Bridge.
Construction and architecture: The building is constructed in the French style of piece-on-piece, meaning one log upon the other. Grooved upright logs are set in the ground at the corners, doors, and windows. The horizontal logs are cut to fit and placed on top of each other in the grooves. Cracks are chinked to give it a tight fit.
26. Bark Chapel
(360 View)
Interpretive Year: 1672
Building History: Bark chapels were built until a more permanent structure could be built. The Jesuit priests would use these structures as a place of worship as well as for their dwelling. The Bark Chapel at Heritage Hill is a replica.
Construction and architecture: Original structures were constructed of sapling framework with elm bark. Our bark chapel is covered with cedar bark. The architecture of the building reflects the Iroquois long house structure.
