Northeastern Wisconsin

This 48 acre park features an ancient Indian burial ground from the Copper Culture People, artifacts from which were recently tested to approximately 5,000 to 6,000 years ago. Dr. Thomas C. Pleger, anthropologist, archeologist at University of Wisconsin - Fox Valley, wrote in 2000 that string found attached to an ancient copper knife recovered at this site was preserved, in part, by the copper oxidation, enabling a radiocarbon date to be made. At present, this is the oldest cemetery site in Wisconsin, and one of the oldest metal use archeological sites in North America. To read more of Professor Pleger's findings on line please click on the links below -
The Old Copper Complex of the Western Great Lakes,
The First People in Wisconsin,
Wisconsin's Ancient Mounds.

The park also contains the volunteer maintained Werrenbroeck museum, which is open on Saturday and Sunday afternoons during the summer.  This Belgium style early county home was built by Charles Werrenbroeck for his family in 1924 and still stands on the original homestead foundation. For more information on the museum building and Belgian immigration to Oconto County and Wisconsin please click the links below -
Charles Werrenbroeck House Museum,
Oconto County, WI, Belgian Roots ,
The BELGIUM-ROOTS Project

The home contains Indian artifacts and archeological photographs of the site research, offering a detailed look at the life and times of the Copper Culture. There is a volunteer ready to help you and answer questions. The house museum does not receive money or maintenance from the state government or any other organization, relying totally on a requested admission donation and meager private donations. It is presently faced with dire needs for repair. If you would like to help:

Contributions are tax deductible. Tax No. 93-08-34-259
Copper Culture Historical Association
902 Superior Avenue
Oconto, WI.  54153

While at the park, also enjoy the 15 acre short-grass prairie, have a picnic, hike along woodland paths or fish the Oconto River. A state vehicle admission sticker not required to use the park. Use of the park grounds is free.

The first known humans in what is now Oconto County were the Copper Culture Indians.  In 1951 Dan Baldwin, an Oconto youth, was sledding on a hill which was then part of the Charles Werrenbroeck farm.  To his amazement he found a leg bone.  He turned it over to the proper authorities.  After considerable investigation it was determined it was the bone of a Copper Culture Indian and the property contained a burial ground of the Copper Culture Indians. For a detailed report and original photographs of the 1952 archeological dig at this site please click here ->Copper Culture Burial Site

After the verification it was decided the property should be declared a state park in honor of these first known inhabitants of the area.  The property was purchased by the state of Wisconsin and is now the Copper Culture State Park.

Copper Culture Burial Ground	Werrenbroeck Museum House
Photo contributed by Glen and Mary Beth [Noonan] Jensen, 2002    The site lies within the western limits of the city of Oconto, with the burial area about 150 yards north of the Oconto River.    Commercial gravel operations during the 1920s disturbed a large area, most likely destroying a considerable portion of the burial site.	Photo contributed by Glen and Mary Beth [Noonan] Jensen, 2002    In June of 1951 a thirteen year old boy named Donald Baldwin, discovered human bones while digging in an abandoned gravel quarry on the Werrebroech farm at western outskirts of Oconto.
Photo contributed by Robert Neustifter, 2002 The historic marker reflects outdated information on the Copper Culture Burial Grounds. The term "Mounds" in the name and on the sign is wrong, no evidence of mounds has been found at the site.    Nearly all the burials occurred in pits; both burial pits and cremation pits were found.  At least forty-five individuals were excavated in the area worked.  The site yielded a total of twenty-six copper artifacts including awls, clasps, spear-points, fishhooks, & a bracelet.  In addition, a whistle made from the leg bone of a swan was found, two well-preserved antler tips, a series of snail beads, a fresh-water clam shell (the nearest source being the Mississippi River), and a shoulder of a large lightning shell, a type of whelk whose present distribution is the Atlantic Ocean from North Carolina to Florida.  The importance of the last two items indicate trade or contact with a region over a thousand miles away.  No pottery was found.	.... Photo contributed by Robert Neustifter, 2002    The Belgian House Museum and Copper Culture Historical Association were established in 1982 to preserve and display the ancient burial grounds and pioneer home. The site was placed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1966.    The park is open during the summer with a picnic area, public restrooms, and trails. The Charles Werebroeck Museum adjoins the park and is open every Saturday and Sunday from Memorial Day to Labor Day, 12:00 PM to 4 PM. No admission fee, donation gratefully accepted.
Photo contributed by Robert Neustifter, 2002    The mowed picnic area is adjoined by a 15-acre short-grass prairie, and forest that boarders the scenic Oconto River. Hiking trails are maintained for visitors, which lead to the ancient cemetery appears to be the oldest known in North America as of the year 2001.	Photo contributed by Glen and Mary Beth [Noonan] Jensen, 2002    Charles & Emma [Ryckart] Werrebroech who build the museum house building and pioneered the homestead land it stands on.  The Werrebroech's were Belgium emigrants who arrived in Nord' America in 1911.
Photo contributed by Robert Neustifter, 2002    Woodland trail leading to the ancient Copper Culture Burial Mound. The human bone discovery was investigated in 1951 by Reuben LaFave and George Hall of the Oconto County Historical Society.    Their test excavations revealed burials accompanied by copper artifacts.  The find was reported to the Milwaukee Public Museum and arrangements were made to excavate the site in 1952 as a project conducted by the Wisconsin Archeological Survey.  The work was done by Robert Ritzenthaler and Arhtur Niehoff representing the Milwaukee Public Museum, and Warren Wittry representing the Wisconsin State Historical Society.	Photos contributed by Glen and Mary Beth [Noonan] Jensen, 2002, posted with her  permission.    Ann (Werrebroeck) Herman - Age 92, continues to volunteer in the park museum. She helped to build the original pioneer farm house. This is young Anne Werrebroeck at age 14. She is amongst the last of the five members [or so] of their preservation group ranging in age from their 70's to 90's.
Photo contributed by Robert Neustifter, 2002    The inscribed memorial stone is at the Copper Culture Burial Site. It was set before the recently completed reexamination of artifacts, which gives the site a 6,000 years old date.	Photo contributed by Glen and Mary Beth [Noonan] Jensen, 2002    The museum house displays, in detailed photographs, some maps and 6,000 year old artifact collection, the original 1952 archeolgical dig at the burial ground.
Photo contributed by Robert Neustifter, 2002    Woodland Path up Suzie's Hill. Ann Werrebroeck Herman's childhood family was friends with Susie Mechaquette and knew her well.  Susie used to visit their home since  "Susie's Hill was at the edge of the next 40"  that bordered Charles & Emma [Ryckart] Werrebroech's home. For more information of Oconto County resident, 108 year old Suzie Mechaquette please click here -> MECHAQUETTE	Photo contributed by Robert Neustifter, 2002    Original water trough of the Werrenbroeck pioneer farm on which the state park is located. Remnants of these distinctive troughs may still be found on other Belgian immigrant homesteads.