The Belgian Heritage Center is a wonderful location for experiencing Belgian culture through one of our community events or to host an event of your own.
Community Events
May 2025 Newsletter
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Lynda Drews at BHC
Starts: May 31, 2025 at 10:00 am
Ends: May 31, 2025 at 11:30 am
BHC is pleased to host Lynda Drews, author ofThe Maid and the Socialite - the Brave Women Behind Green Bay's Scandalous Minahan Trials. This historical non-fiction book gives voice to the women who exposed their closet abuser, the city's famous surgeon. Lynda's speaking engagements are extremely popular. She will be available after her talk for conversation and book signing. A $5 per person donation to benefit BHC would be greatly appreciated.
Note: BHC will open at 9:00 on May 31.
For more information, please see the PDF below.
Door County History Days Kick-off at BHC
Starts: June 16, 2025 at 9:00 am
Ends: June 16, 2025
The Belgian Heritage Center will host the launch of Door County History Days on Monday June 16 from 9:00 – 12. This year’s theme is preservation. The event features displays prepared and manned by historical organizations throughout Door County. At 9:00, Destination Door County will present brief information and instruction on the new Heritage Trail Pass app that will inform users about museums and other history-related sites in Door County. Users will be able to win prizes based on participation in the program. There will also be short updates from a few organizations, including the BHC, about their own preservation efforts. This event is open to the public. Please join us as we showcase our campus, as well as learn about what other local organizations are doing to preserve Door County’s unique history.
Preserving the Roadside Chapel Tradition
Starts: June 19, 2025 at 1:00 pm
Ends: June 19, 2025 at 3:00 pm
Barb (Englebert) Chisholm will present “Preserving the Roadside Chapel Tradition” at BHC on Thursday, June 19 at 1:00. As BHC’s contribution to Door County History Days, we will share the history of the unique buildings in the Belgian settlements with special emphasis on roadside (votive) chapels. Barb will share the fascinating stories behind some of the chapels and how a Belgian tradition adapted by some of the early settlers is preserved to this day. Following the presentations, attendees may join a guided tour of BHC's campus or explore on their own. BHC docents will be available at other nearby chapels for those who would like to see examples of these wonderful little chapels, both old and new.
Belgian Waffle Breakfast
Starts: June 29, 2025 at 9:00 am
Ends: June 29, 2025 at 12:00 pm
BHC will serve breakfast including homemade waffles, Belgian trippe and beverages on Sunday, June 29 at the Belgian Heritage Center. Price is $12 for adults, $7 for ages 4-12, free for children 3 and under.
View Attached PDF
Belgian Days Narrated Bus Tours
Starts: July 12, 2025 at 8:30 am
Ends: July 12, 2025 at 9:30 am
Join BHC’s Historian Barb (Englebert) Chisholm for a one hour
narrated bus tour in the largest Belgian settlement in the US. See
roadside chapels, traditional Belgian houses, summer kitchens,
cemeteries and where the first Kermiss was held. Hear stories about
the lives and challenges faced by the early settlers. Tour participants
will also receive a guided tour of the Belgian Heritage Center
campus including exhibits, the votive chapel of St Roch and the
restored Schoolhouse/Convent.
Tickets are $25 per person. The tour leaves from the Belgian Heritage
Center at 8:30 am on Saturday, July 12. Reservations are
strongly encouraged as seating is limited. To reserve your seat call Julie at 920-619-6363, email contact@belgianheritagecenter.org or
stop in at BHC during our weekend hours. Payment by cash, check
and credit card is accepted. The tour is offered in cooperation with
the Brussels Lions Club as part of their annual Belgian Days
celebration. Tour proceeds benefit the Brussels
Lions Club and BHC.
Tour transportation is via a standard school bus accessible only by steps.
Belgian Life / Great Fire Presentations
Starts: July 12, 2025 at 10:00 am
Ends: July 12, 2025 at 11:30 am
Sandy (Lampereur) Orsted will present Belgian Life on the Door Peninsula, about the history and development of the Belgian Settlements. Captain David Siegel of the Green Bay Metro Fire Department will explain why the Great Fire was so deadly and how it compares to more recent fires. His talk will be followed by a site visit to Tornado Park to show you why the fire devastated what was once Williamsonville. A video of Barb (Englebert) Chisholm’s fire survivor re-enactment is included.
The Belgian Heritage Center is a great location to host your event. BHC’s facilities accommodate family reunions, weddings, conferences and other gatherings. Options include indoor or outdoor gathering, catering kitchen, banquet tables/chairs, audio/visual equipment and food service equipment.
Traditional Belgian food and a Belgian Heritage presentation are available on request. For more information call Julie Rheingans at 920-619-6363 or email events@belgianheritagecenter.org.