Heritage Hill State Park
Also known as Heritage Hill State Historical Park, this 48 acre park is a walk back in time to the beginnings of the Green Bay area.
For many years, local historians and preservationists had the idea of bringing together all of the historical buildings in Green Bay to one location. After receiving a large bequeath of land in 1965, support for the development of a historic site grew. In 1972, the DNR Natural Resources Board approved the establishment of Heritage Hill and the 48 acres of land was transferred to the DNR. 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 located in Allouez. At the same time a proposed development plan and an opening date were selected. That date, May 1, 1977, saw the culmination of many years of hard work and dreams as Heritage Hill State Historical Park opened its doors to 2,500 visitors. Preservation of the buildings and its artifacts and the interpretation of the history of Northeastern Wisconsin and its people remains a primary objective of Heritage Hill.
This historical park is a unique blend of two organizations. The Heritage Hill Foundation solicits and manages donated, granted and bequeathed funds to help support the growth as well as the operation of the park. The Heritage Hill Corporation is charged with the operations, maintenance and development of the park under terms of a lease with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources. This relationship between Heritage Hill and the DNR provides an excellent example of a public and private partnership. Without the assistance from the DNR and the donations and admissions the park generates, Heritage Hill would not be able to help educate and entertain thousands of visitors each year.
Interesting facts about Heritage Hill:
- Heritage Hill proudly records five buildings on the National Registry of Historic Homes.
- Tank Cottage is one of the oldest houses in Wisconsin.
- The Fort Howard Hospital is the oldest standing military hospital in the U.S.
- The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier is located on the site of the old Fort Smith. Bones of a soldier were found when excavating for the park. Every year a special Memorial Day ceremony is held at this site.
- The Belgian farmhouse looks like a brick home but is actually a log home with a brick facade. It is speculated that after the famous Peshtigo fire of 1871, many people began to put bricks over the logs so that the house would be protected.
- In the early 1870's, four volunteer fire companies protected the Green Bay community. The Franklin Hose Company, now located in Growing Community at Heritage Hill, was the last to be formed in 1873.
- The Fur Trader's Cabin was discovered by accident by a wrecking crew in 1968. As they began tearing down the siding on an old home, the framework of the log house appeared. The Fur Trader's Cabin was moved to Heritage Hill in 1976.
- Approximately 20,000 school children visit the park each year for general tours and hands-on programs
NO ADMITTANCE TO THE PARK IS NEEDED TO FIND THIS WGA STATE PARK GEOCACHE.
The Lake Michigan shoreline dominates the till plains biome. This biome was shaped by the last glaciation with glacial till left behind forming the landscape of eskers, drumlins and moraines most easily seen within the Kettle Moraine forest units. The lakeshore displays sand dunes that will often adjoin tamarack swamplands. Close to Lake Michigan’s shores, birds of water such as shorebirds and ducks will be found. Animal life may include White Tailed Deer and small mammals such as otters and fox.
WISCONSIN GEOCACHING ASSOCIATION
The Wisconsin Geocaching Association (WGA) is a group of geocachers dedicated to promoting and protecting geocaching within the state of Wisconsin. The WGA organizes geocaching events, works with land owners/managers on geocaching policies, educates the public at large about geocaching, and facilitates communication between WGA members. To learn more about the WGA visit: www.wi-geocaching.com
2013 kicks off the beginning of the Wisconsin Geocaching Association State Parks series. It is our goal to place a geocache in every state park in the state of Wisconsin so watch out for more in this series that encourages geocachers to explore the natural resources in this beautiful state of ours.
The Geocache Notification Form has been submitted to the park manager, Nick Backhaus Restoration Manager, Heritage Hill State Park. Geocaches placed on Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources managed lands require permission by means of a notification form.
This a WGA STATE PARK SERIES geocache:
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