Jerry M.
Yelp
Heritage Hill is a 40 acre site in Allouez, just east of the Fox River and across the river from the National Railroad Museum. An outdoor museum operated by the Wisconsin DNR, it is a collection of historic buildings that were moved to the site for preservation rather than be demolished in the name of progress.
The forty acre site was once known as Camp Smith (ca. 1820) and later served as an orchard for the adjacent Green Bay Reformatory, cared for by inmates. The construction of highway 172 divided the property and made the orchard a logistical problem for guards. It was abandoned by the prison and eventually became a state park.
The history of Wisconsin and the history of Green Bay are tightly enmeshed. This is where Pere Jacques Marquette and Louis Joliet entered Wisconsin, in search of the elusive Northwest Passage to China. As the years went on, the Fox River and Wisconsin River route was the only means of communication between Fort Howard, Fort Winnebago (Portage) and Fort Crawford (Prairie du Chien) until the Military Road was completed.
Fort Howard closed in 1852, and remains only as the name of a paper company. Several structures from Fort Howard were moved, or reproduced, here at Heritage Hill. Two are on the National Register of Historic Places. You'll also find several buildings listed on the NRHP including the Moravian Church, the Cotton House, and the oldest extant residence in Wisconsin, the Tank Cottage.
This is an excellent history lesson for kids, in fact, it is the location of school field trips. In season, docents demonstrate activities as they were performed in a historical setting. A guided tour, on board a tram, is available. Wednesday and Friday are "Walkabout Days" at reduced rates because the buildings have limited access. On weekends, in season, Fort Howard buildings are open with costumed docents.
Hours are 10:00-4:30, 12:00- 4:30 Sundays. The park is closed on Mondays. Off season, the park is only open Tuesday through Friday. Off season, rates are reduced to walk around the grounds. Off season, tram tours are only available on Tuesday and require an advanced reservation. Heritage Hill is open year round. For specials, see the website.
Be prepared for a lot of walking. the site is, after all, 40 acres and structures are gathered in four logical, thematic groupings, those groupings are well spread around the grounds. A cursory walk-through will take at least a couple of hours but you won't see much in detail unless you stay a little longer.
Like Old World Wisconsin in Eagle, this outdoor museum is a way to experience Wisconsin history, first hand. It's worth the trip!