Heritage Hill State Historical Park

What Heritage Hill State Historical Park does

Heritage Hill State Historical Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 56-acre living history state park in Green Bay, Wisconsin, under a lease with the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR). Founded in 1977, the park preserves 26-27 original and reconstructed buildings spanning four themed historical areas — La Baye Fur Trade (1770-1830), Fort Howard (1830s), Growing Community (1850-1912), and Agricultural Area (1845-1960s) — supported by a collection of more than 9,000 artifacts, with multiple structures on the National Register of Historic Places. Operations are delivered through costumed historic interpreters performing blacksmithing, textile arts, printing, and military reenactments, supplemented by the Fort Howard Guard Fife and Drum Corps (est. 2023) and a year-round Betsy Hendrickson and Lucyanna Hitch Education Center (est. 2006).

The organization serves a diversified audience including K-12 school groups (~18,000 students annually, aligned with Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies), scouts, homeschool families, general public visitors, regional tourists, wedding and private event clients, and professional photographers. Revenue is generated through a multi-stream model: unit-priced daily admission ($6-$14), eight-tier annual memberships ($53 Individual to $2,500+ Corporate), private event rentals (weddings, corporate events, showers), group tours including ADA-accessible tram tours, gift shop sales of handmade items, field trip fees, special event tickets, and a substantial donations and grants pipeline managed in part by the separate Heritage Hill Foundation endowment. The park receives less than 5-7% of its funding from the state, relying primarily on earned revenue, donations, and foundation grants from organizations including the Kress Foundation, Schneider, DAR, and Americana Corner.

The go-to-market motion blends event-driven seasonal programming (50+ annual events including Heritage Day, Textile Arts Day, Sunset Sips, A Heritage Hill Christmas), community-led engagement through the Volunteer Center of Brown County partnership and multi-tier membership, and direct-to-consumer booking of admissions, memberships, and private events. Distribution is fully direct via the heritagehillgb.org website, Blackbaud membership platform, and on-site walk-ins; there are no third-party resellers. The park's strategic posture emphasizes capital-intensive preservation of irreplaceable historic assets, programmatic diversification through new interpretive units (Fife and Drum Corps, Migrant Home), and accessibility upgrades (Schneider-funded tram, 2024) — funded through a fundraising pipeline that has produced sustained multi-year project delivery despite no disclosed commercial revenue.

Name

Heritage Hill State Historical Park

Legal name

Heritage Hill State Historical Park

Website

https://heritagehillgb.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1977

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Heritage Hill State Historical Park is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit operating a 56-acre living history park in Green Bay, Wisconsin, preserving 26 historic buildings and 9,000+ artifacts across four themed historical periods, serving schools, families, wedding clients, and tourists via admissions, memberships, private events, and foundation grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Living History Museum and Cultural Heritage Services

NAICS

Historical Sites (71212), Historical Sites (712120), Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (712)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990)

akta.pro primary industry

Historic Sites, Heritage Landmarks & Archaeological Sites (THAJACAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Museums & Heritage Sites (History, Science, Specialty) (BPAGAHAA), Cultural Heritage Institutions (Archives, Historic Houses, Monuments Foundations) (THAJADAI), Historic Preservation & Landmarks Conservation (BPAGAHAE)

Keywords

• Living history museum
• Historic preservation services
• Educational field trips
• Wedding venue rentals
• Cultural heritage events

Headquarters

HQ city

Green Bay

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Daily Admission Fees: Visitors pay admission fees for park access. Summer/Fall rates: Adults (13-64) $14, Youth (6-12) $7, Seniors (65+) & Military $12. Winter/Spring rates: Adults $6, Youth $3. Free for members, children 5 & under, and active military.
2. Membership Program: Annual memberships providing free daily admission and perks. Levels: Individual ($53), Family ($68), Grandparent ($75), Explorer ($250-499), Voyageur ($500-999), Ambassador ($1,000-1,999), Captain ($2,000+), Corporate ($2,500+).
3. Donations and Contributions: The park receives less than 5-7% of funding from the state and relies heavily on donations. Accepts online donations, checks, Menards rebate program (11% rebate donations), memorial gifts (bricks, trees, benches), and planned giving.
4. Private Event Rentals: Year-round rentals including weddings, receptions, ceremonies, corporate events, showers, and birthday parties. Includes Education Center (upper/lower levels), Town Hall, Garden Patio, Moravian Church, Belgian Farm Grounds, and Victorian Gazebo.
5. Group Tours and Tram Tours: Self-guided group tours at $10/guest (min 10), 90-minute tram tours at $20/guest (min 10, max 50). Field trips at $6/student. Scout workshops at $15/person. Homeschool workshops at $8-10/person.
6. Gift Shop Sales: Features items handmade at Heritage Hill including postcards, woven bookmarks, iron wares, looms, and tools made by historic interpreters.
7. Event Tickets and Special Programs: Special event admission fees (e.g., Heritage Day $5/family, Sunset Sips free admission, Mother's Day Tea $35 members/$31.50 non-members). Blacksmithing workshops at $60-75. Photography passes at $30-150.
8. Grants and Foundations: Funding from Heritage Hill Foundation (endowment), Wisconsin DNR partnership, and grants from organizations like Green Bay and De Pere Antiquarian Society, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Schneider (tram restoration), Kress Foundation, Byron L. Walter Family Trust, and various other foundations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Heritage Hill State Historical Park operates a 56-acre living history museum on land leased from the Wisconsin DNR, offering immersive educational experiences through 26-27 historic buildings, costumed interpreters, and 9,000+ artifacts spanning the 1600s to present. It generates revenue from admissions, memberships, school field trips, scout and homeschool workshops, private event rentals (weddings, corporate), gift shop retail, group tours, special events, and grants/donations.

Product overview

Heritage Hill State Historical Park is a living history state park offering immersive historical experiences through its core product: 26-27 reconstructed and original historic buildings across four themed areas (La Baye Fur Trade 1770-1830, Fort Howard 1830s, Growing Community 1850-1912, Agricultural Area 1845-1960s). The park operates as a non-profit (501(c)(3)) managing Wisconsin DNR land, with revenue generated through admission fees, memberships (Individual through Corporate tiers), event rentals, and donations. Educational programs include field trips, homeschool workshops, and scout programs. Private event services encompass weddings, corporate events, and photography sessions. Supporting offerings include a gift shop with handmade items, the Fort Howard Guard Fife and Drum Corps program, historic encampments, and the Weyers House AirBnB rental. The park draws approximately 18,000 students annually and receives less than 5-7% of funding from the state.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Living History Interpretation Immersive historical experiences with costumed interpreters in 26-27 historic buildings across four thematic areas representing Northeastern Wisconsin history from the 1600s to present, including blacksmithing, textile arts, printing, and military reenactment demonstrations. Open to general admission visitors, school groups, and tour groups.
• Field Trip Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• Approximately 18,000 students educated annually through field trip and homeschool programs
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1972Public-private partnership where the DNR owns the land and Heritage Hill Corporation operates under a lease agreement. DNR Natural Resources Board approved establishment in 1972 with 48 acres transferred to DNR. Heritage Hill is charged with operations, maintenance, and development. The park receives less than 5-7% of funding from the state.
• Volunteer Center of Brown CountycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOfficial volunteer partner for recruiting and managing volunteers for the park. Heritage Hill relies on dedicated volunteers to operate across 56 acres with 27 buildings and hundreds of annual events.
• Wisconsin Historical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvides artifacts on loan to Heritage Hill's collection. Conducted informal archaeological dig in 1973 confirming original Wisconsin First Courthouse location.
• Brown County Historical SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLends artifacts to Heritage Hill's collection. The Cotton House became the focal point and inspiration for Heritage Hill in 1977 after being operated as a museum by the Society.
• Wisconsin Department of Public InstructionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerHeritage Hill Foundation provides free admission for students at schools identified as 50%+ economically disadvantaged per DPI data. Programs aligned with Wisconsin Standards for Social Studies.
• Abrams Spotlight ProductionsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner for 'Let Freedom Sing!' 250th anniversary celebration event performing selections from '1776' musical.
• St. Norbert College (Dudley Birder Chorale)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerDudley Birder Chorale performs at Heritage Hill events including 250th anniversary celebration of America.
• Belgian Heritage CenterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization featured at Heritage Day event showcasing cultural heritage organizations in Northeast Wisconsin.
• French Heritage SocietyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization featured at Heritage Day event showcasing cultural heritage organizations in Northeast Wisconsin.
• Sons of NorwayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization featured at Heritage Day event showcasing cultural heritage organizations in Northeast Wisconsin.
• Literacy Green BayminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization featured at Heritage Day event showcasing community organizations.
• Wise Woman Gathering PlaceminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartner organization featured at Heritage Day event showcasing community organizations.
• Friends of Wisconsin State ParksminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerFunding partner for 'The Growing Communities of Northeast Wisconsin' permanent exhibit located in YMCA Library.
• Sons of the American RevolutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapters participate in Memorial Day Observance wreath laying at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.
• Daughters of the American RevolutionminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLocal chapters participate in Memorial Day Observance wreath laying at Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Strawbery Banke Museum: Outdoor living history museum in Portsmouth, NH featuring 32+ restored buildings, costumed interpreters, school programs, and event rentals. Highly comparable operating model and revenue mix to Heritage Hill.
• Old World Wisconsin: Outdoor living history museum in Eagle, Wisconsin operated by the Wisconsin Historical Society, featuring restored 19th-century buildings and costumed interpreters across a similar acreage. Most directly comparable to Heritage Hill as a state-level living history park in Wisconsin.
• Living History Farms: 500-acre open-air agricultural history museum in Urbandale, Iowa operating authentic historic farms with interpreters. Direct peer operating a comparable living history model with school field trips, weddings, and event revenue lines mirroring Heritage Hill.
• Wade House Historic Site: Wisconsin Historical Society site in Greenbush featuring a stagecoach inn, historic farm, and Wesley W. Jung Carriage Museum. Compares to Heritage Hill as a Wisconsin living history site offering school programs and costumed interpretation.

Regional players

• Neville Public Museum: Green Bay's primary history and science museum with regional collections and exhibits. Comparable as a Northeast Wisconsin heritage institution serving families, schools, and tourists, though it operates as a traditional museum rather than an open-air living park.
• Crossroads at Big Creek: Door County, Wisconsin nature and history center offering educational programs, trails, and living history demonstrations. Comparable as a Wisconsin heritage education nonprofit serving families and schools.
• Belgian Heritage Center: Wisconsin-based cultural heritage nonprofit featured as a partner at Heritage Hill's Heritage Day, focused on preserving Belgian-American history. Comparable as a thematic heritage/education nonprofit in the same geography.

Broad incumbents

• National Trust for Historic Preservation: National nonprofit focused on preserving historic sites through grants, advocacy, and membership. Comparable as a heritage preservation funder and operator of related programming, though national in scope.
• Colonial Williamsburg: Largest living history museum in the U.S., operating 301 acres of restored buildings with costumed interpreters, education programs, and event venues. Comparable as a scaled living history operation though at far greater scale and budget.

Others

• Green Bay & De Pere Antiquarian Society: Local historical preservation society that partners with Heritage Hill through grants and artifact loans. Comparable as a heritage preservation nonprofit in Brown County serving an overlapping donor and volunteer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/heritagehillgb
• Instagraminstagram.com/heritagehillgb
• TikToktiktok.com/@heritagehillgb
• Xx.com/heritagehillgb
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/heritagehillgb

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Heritage Hill State Historical Park