Family History

Oconto County WIGenWeb Project
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.COPPER CULTURE STATE PARK & MUSEUM.

Oconto County's Oldest Secret

Northeastern Wisconsin

This 48 acre park, claimed by the Menominee Indians as their ancestors, 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 archaeological sites in North America.

A tour guide will walk you through the displays to help demonstrate the significance of this site, giving an early look at

Archaic Indian lifestyle, an early trade network, and first copper toolmakers in the country. The museum researchers are working on updates and, given only small funding by the state, appreciate donations. No admission fee is charged.

For more information:

The park also contains a museum, in a Belgian house built in 1924 by Charles Werrebroeck, the only example of this style of old-world architecture in the Oconto area. The museum is open Saturday and Sunday, 11- 3, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and can also be accessed by special appointment by contacting the Oconto Co. Historical Society at 920-834-6206.
Site Link: Oconto County Historical Society

Oconto County Historical Society
PO Box 272
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.

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

suggested reading for recent updating of Copper Culture State Park burial information that puts the burials at a much earlier age:

Pleger, Thomas C.:

2001 New Dates for the Oconto Old Copper Culture Cemetery." Papers in Honor of Carol I. Mason." edited by Thomas C. Pleger, Robert A. Birmingham, and Carol I. Mason. The Wisconsin Archeologist, Volume 82, No. 1 & 2, pp. 87-100.

2003 http://www.uwfox.uwc.edu/aboutfox/foxfacts/foxfacts072003.html

Tom Pleger, Associate Campus Dean and Assistant Professor of Anthropology / Archaeology, had several scholarly works published. He collaborated in the publishing of the Papers in Honor of Carol I. Mason, “New Dates for the Oconto Old Copper Culture Cemetery." He shared editing duties with Robert A. Birmingham and Carol I. Mason on this project. Their efforts appeared in The Wisconsin Archeologist, Volume 82, No. 1 & 2, pp. 87-100. He also published, “A Brief Introduction to the Old Copper Complex of the Western Great Lakes: 4000-1000 B.C.,” which appeared in the Proceedings of the Twenty-seventh Annual Meeting of the Forest History Association of Wisconsin, Inc., Oconto, Wisconsin, October 5, 2002, pp. 10-18. Pleger has also made several professional presentations, including:

a lecture titled, “Introduction to Wisconsin Archaeology,” for the Marinette Women’s Club, which was sponsored by the Wisconsin Humanities Council (April 2);
a lecture titled, “ Prehistoric Copper Ornamentation in the Great Lakes,” for the Robert Ritzenthaler Chapter of the Wisconsin Archaeological Society, at the Oshkosh Public Museum (April 8);
a paper titled, “ Teaching Local Archaeology throughout the Great State of Wisconsin: A Case Study in Distance Learning,” to the Society of American Archaeology’s 68th Annual Meeting, April 9-13, in Milwaukee (April 10);
a lecture titled, “Introduction to Wisconsin Archaeology,” for the Reedsburg Public Library; the presentation was sponsored by the Wisconsin Humanities Council (April 22);
a lecture titled, “Introduction to Wisconsin Archaeology,” for the Friends of the UW-Parkside Library, UW-Parkside in Kenosha; this presentation was sponsored by the Wisconsin Humanities Council (April 30);
a lecture titled, "Great Lakes Archaic Indians: The Origins of Prehistoric Metal Technology in Eastern North America," for the Robert Ritzenthaler Chapter of the Wisconsin Archaeological Society, Oshkosh Public Museum; the presentation was sponsored by the Wisconsin Humanities Council (May 13);
a lecture titled, "Great Lakes Archaic Indians: The Origins of Prehistoric Metal Technology in Eastern North America," for the Walworth County Historical Society, Elkhorn; the presentation was sponsored by the Wisconsin Humanities Council (July 13).

Early Cultures: Pre-European People of Wisconsin

The park also contains a museum, in a Belgian house built in 1924 by Charles Werrebroeck, the only example of this style of old-world architecture in the Oconto area. The museum is open Saturday and Sunday, 11- 3, from Memorial Day to Labor Day, and can also be accessed by special appointment by calling Oconto County Histyorical Society, 920-834-6206. Site Link: Oconto County Historical Society

Other related site links:

Charles Werrebroeck House Museum,

Oconto County, WI, Belgian Roots

The BELGIUM-ROOTS Project

The first known humans in what is now Oconto County were the Copper Culture Indians. In June 1952 Don Baldwin, an Oconto youth, was playing in gravel excavation which was then at the rear of the Charles Werrebroeck farm. To his amazement he found a bone. He turned it over to the proper authorities, who determined it was that skull 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 archaeological dig at this site please click here ->Copper Culture Burial Site

After the verification it the property became a national landmark and then a state park in honor of these first known inhabitants of the area. .

Please click on each photo for a larger view

Copper Culture Burial Ground	Werrebroeck 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 1952 a thirteen year old boy named Donald Baldwin discovered human bones while digging in an abandoned gravel quarry on the Werrebroeck farm at the 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.	Photos contributed by Copper Culture Museum Staff The Belgian House Museum and Copper Culture Historical Association was 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 1962. 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. The trails lead to the ancient cemetery which was considered to be the oldest known in North America as of the year 2001. The Wisconsin Archaeologist, Volume 82, No. 1 & 2, pp. 87-100.	Charles & Emma [Ryckart] Werrebroeck who build the museum house building and pioneered the homestead land it stands on. The Werrebroecks 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 1952 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 July as a project conducted by the Wisconsin Archaeological Survey. The work was done by Robert Ritzenthaler and Arthur 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 helped to build the original pioneer farm house. This is young Anne Werrebroeck at age 14. Ann gave tours at the museum until she was age 96 years.
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 date of 6,000 years old .	Photo contributed by Copper Culture Museum Staff The museum house displays, in detailed photographs and videos, some maps and replicas of items from the 6,000 year old artifact collection, the original 1952 archaeological 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 Werrebroeck pioneer farm on which the state park is located. Remnants of these distinctive troughs may still be found on other Belgian immigrant homesteads.

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