Heritage Hill State Historical Park
Heritage Hill State Historical Park, also called Heritage Hill State Park, is a 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. The Heritage Hill Corporation operates, maintains and develops the park under terms of a lease with the DNR.
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. 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 | 2143 South Webster, Allouez | 1912 | 1977 | Wood framed with gable roof | |
| Baird Law Office | Main and Monroe Green Bay | 1835 | 1975 | Greek Revival Listed on the NRHP in 1970 | |
| 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 | |
| Belgian Farmstead Farmhouse | Rosiere | 1872 | 1984 | Log with brick veneer Listed on the NRHP as the Massart Farmstead 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 University Green Bay | 1850 | 1976 | Wood frame | |
| Cheese Factory | Slovan | 1894 | 1994 | Wood framed | |
| Cotton House | Beaupre and Webster Green Bay | 1845 | 1938 | Timber frame/Greek Revival Listed on the NRHP in 1970 | |
| Court House | Door County | 1976 | Full log with dovetail joints | ||
| 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 | Kellogg and Chestnut Green Bay | 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 Chestnut Green Bay | 1835 | 1975 | Timber 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 | 1816 | 1975 | Timber frame w/ clapboards/Federal Listed on the NRHP in 1979 | |
| Fort Howard Post School | Constructed on site | 1982 | N/A | Federal | |
| Fort Howard Company Kitchen/Orderly Room | Kellogg and Chestnut Green Bay | 1816 | 1975 | Federal - 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 site | 1982 | N/A | Federal | |
| Franklin Hose Company | Main and Irwin Green Bay | 1870 | 1975 | Wood frame | |
| Fur Trader's Cabin | 739 Adams St Green Bay | 1810 | 1975 | Pièce-sur-pièce à coulisse | |
| Maple Sugaring House | Constructed on site | 1981 | N/A | Log | |
| Moravian Church | Moravian St Green Bay | 1842 | 1980 | Timber framed Gothic Revival Listed on the NRHP in 1983 as the East Moravian Church but later delisted, date unknown. | |
| Print Shop | Constructed on site | 1976 | N/A | Wood framed | |
| Tank Cottage | On Fox River at 8th Street Green Bay | 1776 | 1976 | Pièce-sur-pièce à coulisse Listed on the NRHP in 1970. 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 St Green 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 |