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.
