The park houses the Tank Cottage, the oldest standing European-style house in Wisconsin, originally built in 1776.
The buildings on site were saved from demolition and relocated to the park to prevent their destruction during urban development.
The park includes a functioning 1900s-era print shop where traditional letterpress techniques are demonstrated.
The Lawton House within the park is an example of early 20th-century residential architecture relocated to preserve its historical context.
The site hosts a unique 'Moravian Church' that was moved from its original location to maintain the community's cultural history.
Historical interpreters use authentic period tools rather than modern replicas to perform daily tasks like candle making and blacksmithing.
Heritage Hill State Historical Park is a 50-acre living history museum located in Green Bay that preserves Wisconsin history through 25 original and reconstructed historical buildings. The park is divided into four distinct zones representing different eras and themes: the Fur Trade, Fort Howard, the Growing Community, and the Agricultural Area. It features historic structures relocated from across Northeast Wisconsin, including the 1835 Fort Howard Guardhouse and the Tank Cottage, which is the oldest standing home in the state. Costumed historical interpreters occupy these buildings to demonstrate period-specific trades, daily chores, and lifestyle practices. The site sits on a hill overlooking the Fox River, providing a geographic context for the region's early settlement patterns. Visitors can walk through period-accurate gardens and interact with livestock breeds common in 19th-century Wisconsin.
The elevated view of the Fox River from the site of the original Fort Howard structures.
Wear comfortable, sturdy walking shoes as the park terrain consists of grass paths and historic boardwalks.
Check the park's online event calendar before visiting to see if specific live demonstrations or reenactment programs are scheduled for that day.
Visit the park's website to download a self-guided tour map to identify the history behind each specific building.
Do not expect a high-tech, indoor museum experience; the majority of the park is outdoors and weather-dependent.
The park operates on a seasonal basis, typically closing for a period during the winter months.
Respect the historical integrity of the buildings by not touching fragile artifacts, and ask interpreters for permission before photographing them directly.
