Heritage Hill State Park

This park, built to portray and preserve Wisconsin's beginning, is located on a site that is itself a part of history. On the 40-acre site stood Camp Smith, a temporary location of Fort Howard, part of the pioneer settlement known as Shantytown, and Wisconsin's first courthouse. Through the site passed the military road linking Fort Howard with Fort Winnebago at Portage and Fort Crawford at Prairie du Chien.

Many of the building at Heritage Hill are original structures including the Henry Baird's law office, several Fort Howard buildings, the Cotton House, a French fur trader's cabin, and the Tank Cottage -- Wisconsin's oldest structure circa 1776.

Attractions - Heritage Hill State Park is a living history museum centered on 25 structures from Wisconsin's past. Begin your visit at The Dorothy Wittig Visitor Center where flowing perennial gardens flank the entrance and a host of information waits inside. While touring the park you'll meet costumed interpreters speaking centuries old dialect as they go about their daily activities. The park is divided into four theme eras:

LaBaye 1672-1825: A depiction of Wisconsin's earliest settlement period when the region served as a major crossroads from Montreal, through the Great Lakes, to the Fox, Wisconsin, and Mississippi Rivers.

Fort Howard 1836: Experience Fort Howard the year Wisconsin became a territory by stepping onto this strategic Army military post located at the mouth of the Fox River.

Small Town 1871: Leap 35 years forward to this small but bustling Wisconsin community that supported a population of nearly 5,000 townsfolk. Craftsmen and their original homes are open for viewing.

Belgian Farm 1905: As Belgian immigrants descended upon southern Door and Kewaunee counties, agriculture became a major economic source dotting Northeast Wisconsin.
Special events are an everyday part of Heritage Hill State Park: Memorial Day events, French & Indian War Encampment, Folk Music Fests, Children's Harvest Fair, Candlelight Walking Tours, and a sundry of arts and crafts programs. As a very popular school field trip destination, advance reservations are required. Heritage Hill State Park is open Memorial Day to Labor Day, closed Mondays. Special events are held throughout the year. Details may be obtained by calling 920-448-5150 or 800-721-5150 A per person admission is charged; group rates available. Pets are prohibited at Heritage Hill. There is a no smoking policy on park grounds.

Recreation - Touring Heritage Hill and participating in special events and demonstrations is the main feature of this state park.

Climate - Northeast Wisconsin has four distinct seasons with warm summers and long winters. Great Lakes Michigan and Superior tend to make summers cooler and winters milder close to shore. January's average temperature is in the teens F (-teens C). Average July temperature is 68-70 degrees F (20 degrees C). During summer, temperatures can climb to above 90 degrees F (32 degrees C) for a several day stretch. The area's average yearly precipitation ranges from 30-32". Annual snowfalls in the Northeast Region have a wide range; the southern areas may receive 50" while the northern areas may receive in excess of 180". Nighttime summer temperatures can dip below freezing. Dressing in layers is a good way to remain comfortable in Wisconsin.

Location - Heritage Hill State Park is located in the southern area of Greenbay at the corner of Highway 172 and Webster Avenue.