Tank Cottage facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Tank Cottage
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Tank Cottage
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| Location | 2640 South Webster Ave. Green Bay, Wisconsin |
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| Built | Between 1776-1803 |
| NRHP reference No. | 70000028 |
| Added to NRHP | April 28, 1970 |
Tank Cottage is a very old house located in Heritage Hill State Historical Park in Green Bay, Wisconsin. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. Many people believe it might be the oldest building still standing in Wisconsin!
Contents
The Cottage's Early Days
Building a Home by the River
A French-Canadian fur trader named Joseph Roi built Tank Cottage. He built it by the Fox River sometime between 1776 and 1803. That's over 200 years ago! Joseph Roi used a special building method called pièce-sur-pièce à coulisse. This means he stacked logs horizontally and slid them into grooves in vertical posts. It was a common way to build houses in French-Canadian areas back then.
A New Owner and a War
In 1805, Joseph Roi sold the cottage to Jacques Porlier. Jacques Porlier was a friend to the British. During the War of 1812, Tank Cottage was used as a local meeting place for the British. After the war ended, Porlier decided to support the United States. In 1820, he became a judge for the Brown County court. This was when Wisconsin was part of the Michigan Territory.
Moving and Becoming a Museum
The Tank Family Arrives
In 1850, a man named Nils Otto Tank bought the cottage. He was a Norwegian missionary from the Moravian Church. He also bought a lot of land along the Fox River. His wife, Caroline van der Meulin, made some changes to the house. She covered the original log walls with clapboard. Clapboard is a type of wooden siding that protects the house. Caroline lived in the cottage until she passed away in 1891.
Saving the Oldest House
By 1908, Green Bay was growing and becoming more industrial. Tank Cottage was in danger of being torn down! To save it, the cottage was moved from its first spot on 8th Street to a new place called Tank Park.
A Historical Park Home
Tank Cottage was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1970. This means it's recognized as an important historical site. In 1976, the cottage was moved again to its current home. It now sits in Heritage Hill State Historical Park. Today, Tank Cottage is a museum where people can visit and learn about its long history.
See also
