History in Our Midst

The official Allouez website states that the village is “where every day we walk from a historic past into a bright and exciting future”. When walking among the buildings at Heritage Hill State Historical Park it is possible to feel as though you have gone back to that historic past. Heritage Hill, located on South Webster Avenue, has been attracting visitors to Allouez since its opening in 1977.

Established on the site of Camp Smith, the 54 acre park is a collection of original buildings and reproductions of buildings. Heritage Hill, a non-profit organization, states on its website that it is “devoted to the preservation of our buildings and artifacts”. The historical period that is depicted within the park ranges from the 1600’s to the mid 1900’s.

If you go past the park in spring and fall, you will normally see at least a few school buses in the parking lot. The park offers a variety of field trips for elementary school children. The children can experience what life was like for fur traders or what it was like to live on a Belgian farm. During the summer months, the park has programs developed for daycares. For home school families there is information available on how the various programs align with national and state academic standards.

Visitor Services Coordinator Laura Pickart stated that about 200 different schools visit Heritage Hill during the spring and fall. The park is marketed to schools within a two hour radius and children from as far south as Milwaukee and as far north as Upper Michigan come on field trips. When asked what the children enjoy the most Ms. Pickart said, “They all really like the farm animals and the fur trader’s cabin. The blacksmith shop, print shop and butter churning are always popular, too.” She also noted that once they hear about some of the procedures done at the hospital they are very glad to be living in the 21st century.

While education is a big part of the mission of Heritage Hill, there are many other activities that take place within its leafy confines. The park has become a popular place for weddings. There are four sites available for the ceremony. One is the 165 year old Moravian Church. The church was moved from downtown Green Bay to the park in 1980. Weddings can also be performed in the Victorian Gazebo, on the Cotton House grounds or under the pergola on the garden patio. Ms. Pickart said that the park hosts between 60 and 80 weddings each year. One of the most memorable and beautiful weddings held recently was a Hindu ceremony. The event took over the entire park and was a very colorful and culturally diverse event.

During the summer, the park hosts evening musical events. Past performers include the Allouez Village Band and Bent Grass. Guests are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, picnic baskets and coolers. Segway tours are offered several times during the summer and the park hosts Civil War re-enactors for a weekend in June. At this writing the next big events are “An Enchanted Halloween” during October and “The Spirit of Christmas Past” in December. The Heritage Hill website provides a detailed listing of all upcoming events.

When I asked Ms. Pickart about the upkeep of the park she said, “Maintenance of the old buildings is an ongoing process.” Recently, lead paint was removed from the Baird Law Office and new windows were installed. The barns and the sugar shack received new roofs. Currently, the Education Center is getting new siding and windows. The park staff does its best to maintain a period correct look while using green and sustainable materials. They also work to make the buildings more energy efficient when repairs are needed.

Heritage Hill State Historical Park is a jewel in the center of the Village of Allouez. Nearly 50 years ago citizens who were interested in the area’s past were able to project a vision for the future that brought the park to fruition. Their vision has made it possible for us to have a sense of what it was like to live here over 100 years ago without getting very far from the comforts of home.

Miramar Drive Historic District

The Village of Allouez owns a rich history. The very name of the village is that of Claude Allouez, a Jesuit missionary who in 1671 founded the St. Francis Xavier Mission at what is now De Pere. A portion of its history is reflected in the architecture that is to be found within the confines of the village. One example is the Cotton House. The Cotton House is a major attraction at Heritage Hill State Park, but unlike some of the structures in the park, it is an Allouez product. Originally located at the corner of South Webster Avenue and Beaupre Street, the house was listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its architectural significance in 1970. It was moved to the park in 1977.

Now there is a possibility that an entire Allouez neighborhood may become a Historic District. The Allouez Historic Preservation Committee has begun the process of nominating a portion of Miramar Drive as a listing on the National Register of Historic Districts. The committee received positive feedback from residents, so last spring the village leadership invited Daina Pekiunas, a representative of the Wisconsin Historical Society, to come and speak to Miramar Drive homeowners. She explained how neighborhoods become Historic Districts and some of the possible benefits to homeowners.

The path to a neighborhood becoming a Historic District begins with the nominating process. Buildings and neighborhoods are nominated based on their particular significance in national, state or local history, architecture, archeology, engineering and culture. Nominations are reviewed by staff members of the Wisconsin Historical Society. They are then reviewed by the State Historic Preservation Review Board, which is the approving authority. National Register nominations are approved by the National Park Service in Washington, D.C. The entire process may take up to 18 months. Often private consultants are hired to assess properties and navigate the nomination process.

Ms. Pekiunas pointed out that the principal benefit of having your home designated as part of a Historic District is the knowledge that you are helping to preserve your local, state and national heritage. A more tangible benefit is the possibility of state and federal tax credits for rehabilitating historic properties. There is also the opportunity to become eligible for official State Register of Historic Places plaques.

As with most things in this area, anything related to the Green Bay Packers generates interest. It happens that two of the most famous of Packers have ties to the Miramar neighborhood. Curly Lambeau and Don Hutson owned homes on Miramar Drive and both are listed in the Wisconsin State Historical Society’s Architecture and History Inventory.

Curly Lambeau was a co-founder of the Green Bay Packers. He went on to coach the Packers to six National Football League Championships in the 1920’s and 1930’s. He is a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame, inducted in 1963. Curly built a brick Tudor Revival home on Miramar Drive in 1931. He was a colorful character and his story is a large part of Green Bay Packers lore. He and his wife Marguerite divorced in 1934, but Marguerite continued to live in the home until 1997.

Don Hutson was a star receiver for the Packers in the 1930’s and 1940’s. He was twice named the National Football League’s Most Valuable Player and was also inducted as a charter member of the Pro Football Hall of Fame. He and his wife, Julia, purchased a white stucco Tudor Revival home on Miramar drive in 1935. The house was built in 1927 and is an excellent example of this particular architectural style.

There are several other examples of Tudor Revival homes in the neighborhood. Some characteristics of Tudor Revival homes are steeply pitched roofs, dormer windows and pillared porches.  Another popular style represented is that of Colonial Revival. These homes are typically of the two story variety with elaborate front doors, symmetrical windows flanking the door and columned porches. An excellent example of the American Foursquare style of architecture can be found on the east side of DuCharme. A popular style in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, characteristics include large front porches, a central dormer, and a general boxy design. The shape provided large interior space while fitting into small city lots.

So Miramar Drive has homes that are significant architecturally and homes that have a connection with the organization that for many, defines the city of Green Bay. Will Allouez soon have its first historic district? It is possible, so keep an eye out for those State Register of Historic Places plaques on Miramar Drive.

Miracles in Allouez

On almost any summer night it is possible to find youngsters playing baseball or softball in Allouez parks. Their parents and supporters root them on and celebrate when their team comes out on top. League champions are crowned and all star players are named. Many have dreams of playing the sport in high school, college and beyond.

But in a league that plays at Optimist Park the games all end in ties. Parents and supporters cheer as hard for the opposing team’s players as their own. Each team is a championship team and all of the players are all stars. This is the Miracle League of Green Bay.

Begun in 2006 by the Allouez Optimist Club, the Miracle League is part of a national organization that provides an opportunity for children with physical or cognitive challenges to play baseball. The league is open to children from the ages of four to nineteen. Sponsors supply the resources to provide uniforms for the players as well as balls, bats, helmets and catcher’s equipment.

The idea for the Green Bay Miracle League was brought to the area by Paul Leigois. As an Optimist Club member, he brought the idea of using Optimist Park in Allouez to the Allouez Optimists. The Allouez Optimists agreed to pay the Miracle League Association fee and Leigois went to work forming a Board of Directors, raising funds, and locating sponsors. That first year the league had 65 players and games were played on the dirt and grass field.

By 2007 enough funding had been secured that a rubberized handicap accessible field had been installed. There were paved walkways, a concession stand, handicap accessible restrooms and improvements made to the playground area within the park. Major donors were Dick Resch of KI and the Brett Favre Fourward Foundation. The field is named Resch Miracle Field and the adjacent playground is known as the Favre Family Miracle Recreation Area.

That second season saw the number of players double and participation has continued to increase. Over 200 children participated during the 2016 season. New players join each year and there are several who have played every season.

The Miracle League not only creates a great opportunity for the players but is also an excellent volunteer experience. Each player has a buddy who helps him or her bat and run the bases. The buddies, known as Angels in the Outfield, go out in the field to provide a measure of safety for the players when the opposing team is at bat. Buddies must be at least fourteen years old. The games are two innings long and each player bats and scores a run twice. The pitcher and catcher positions are rotated among the players each inning.

The coaches and league leaders do everything they can to make the experience as enjoyable as possible for the players. Each game begins with the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner” and the raising of the American flag in left field. An announcer introduces players as they come to bat and then when they cross home plate. Between the first and second inning players, buddies and coaches sing along to a recording of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” or “Jump Around”. Throughout the game words of encouragement are cried out to players no matter what team they are on. The league has special celebrations to open and close the season. Players who have aged out are recognized during closing ceremonies and each player receives a trophy.

Carley Phillips joined the Miracle League in its first year when she was seven years old. A child with physical and cognitive disabilities, over the past eleven seasons she has learned to hit a pitched ball independently, pitch and catch, and follow the flow of the game. Her mother, Coach Jan Phillips, says that when the family goes by Optimist Park Carley will say, “There’s my Miracle Field.” Jan said that even more important than the baseball skills Carley has learned are the friends she has made and the feeling of belonging the team provides.

In addition to what the league does for the children it also provides a network for parents. They can share the challenges as well as the successes that they all encounter as parents of special needs children. They are able to swap stories and laugh over actions that most parents would find more sad than funny. The networking extends beyond the season as parents keep in touch sharing information on doctors, medications and programs available for their children.

While there may be winners and losers on other Allouez ball diamonds throughout the summer, there are only champions on the Miracle League field at Optimist Park.

Precious Metals

For many Allouez residents there is nothing better than spending a warm summer day under the giant shade trees in Green Isle Park. But for a certain segment of the population this experience is not complete without the presence of precious metals. These are not the precious metals shaped into bracelets, rings and earrings, but precious metals that provide horsepower for work and play.

On June 12^th of this year the Allouez Optimist Club hosted the 31^st Annual Allouez Fest at Green Isle Park. The fest features food, kids’ games, music, and more but the highlight of the event is the Precious Metals Car Show. The show has been a part of Allouez Fest since the beginning.

Vehicles manufactured from 1900 to the present are invited to enter and this year there were twenty different show classes. Several classes were dedicated to cars in original condition or restored to near original condition. These classes are divided into ten year increments. There were also classes for particular makes and models, such as Chevrolet Corvettes and Ford Mustangs. Additional classes were open for trucks and even motorcycles.

Trophies, along with bragging rights for the next year, go to the first, second and third place entry in each class. People who enter vehicles in the show are the voters and they are encouraged to vote for vehicles in the class in which their vehicle is entered. There also were trophies given for Best in Show and for the entry from the longest distance away.

Jeff Erwin is currently the Optimist vice-president, but he is the coordinator for the Precious Metals portion of Allouez Fest each year. Jeff stated that the weather has a lot to do with the success of the show and this year Mother Nature provided a near perfect day. He estimated that up to 2000 people turned out to ogle the 408 vehicles that were entered. He said Brad Lange, Allouez Village Administrator, is an Optimist member and makes the necessary arrangements with the Village regarding usage of Green Isle Park. He also wanted people to know that information on registering a vehicle for next year’s show will be available on the Optimists’ Facebook page next spring.

Trophies were awarded at 3:00 pm. The proud winners were of all ages and genders. What they had in common was that their fellow gearheads recognized the TLC that they provided their “precious metals”. The Best in Show went to Pepper Burruss for his immaculate red 1973 Chevrolet Corvette.

This event is the Allouez Optimists’ second biggest fund raiser and the proceeds go to benefit Allouez youth organizations. Allouez Fest’s goal is to support local youth, but judging by the smiles on the faces of the trophy winners it also brings joy to many adults.

A New Catholic School in Allouez

A new chapter in Catholic education will begin in September of this year. After a long process involving parents, parishioners, school staff members and the Green Bay Diocese, St. Matthew School and Resurrection School will merge to form one school. This is a huge step for each school as their existence as parish schools goes back many years.

The students and families had an opportunity to suggest a name for the school and Bishop David Ricken, leader of the Green Bay Diocese, selected the name from three that had been presented to him. On April 21st the Bishop celebrated Mass at St. Matthew’s for the students of both schools. After the Mass several students carried a rolled banner to the front of the church.  As the students in the pews provided a simulated drum roll, the banner was unfurled to reveal that the new school is named Father Allouez Catholic School.

The St. Matthew campus will house students in early childhood through grade four. Students in grades five through eight will go to Resurrection. The decision on which building would be used for the different grade levels was based on the types of facilities each school is able to provide. Of course, the alignment of grade levels will cause some students and teachers to switch schools in the fall. Planning for the movement of curriculum supplies, desks, technology equipment and library materials began in early spring and the actual movement begins on August 1st.

When asked what she sees as the advantages of this merger, Principal Kay Franz stated “The greatest advantage is to offer children a faith-based learning environment that meets their unique age appropriate needs.“ The use of the two sites will “focus resources specifically for the designated age groups instead of duplicating services.” Mrs. Franz is expecting an enrollment of 295 students between the two buildings.

Jodi Sullivan teaches first grade at Resurrection. She is looking forward to her students having more classmates. Currently there is a multiage classroom with first and second graders at Resurrection. Next year they will be in separate second and third grade rooms. She believes the larger classes help the children academically and socially.

St. Matthew kindergarten teacher Annie Stewart agrees that the larger class sizes will benefit the children. She is also looking forward to increased opportunities for collaboration among staff members.

Callie Lacy is a St. Matthew graduate and her two children attend St. Matthew School. She is very excited about the merger and stated that, “Teachers will have additional resources to enhance our strong academic programs.” Her children are looking forward to meeting their new classmates in the fall.

Resurrection parent Mary Burich said she is happy that her son will be meeting new friends. The children will be able to continue to honor the traditions of each school, while starting new ones for Father Allouez Catholic School. She said her son is “excited to experience the updated library, which is transforming into a new multi-media center.”

There are still some important decisions to be made.  A new name for the school’s sports teams needs to be chosen along with a school mascot. Students will have an opportunity to help choose the new name. The booster clubs for each school have been meeting and have a plan for combining the sports teams. A school logo is also being worked on and the final product will be revealed at the school’s Open House in the fall.

The two facilities will still be referred to using their historical names when discussing each campus, but Allouez will be home to the newest school in the Green Bay Diocese when Father Allouez Catholic School opens its doors on September 1st.