Belgian Heritage Center Holds Peshtigo Fire Presentation on Anniversary, Oct. 8

Belgian Heritage Center. Photo by Len Villano.

The Belgian Heritage Center will present the tale of the Peshtigo Fire as it affected the Belgian settlement on Oct 8. Barb (Englebert) Chisholm will tell the story through the eyes of her great-grandmother, Emmerence (Gaspard) Englebert at 10 am and 1 pm. This date is the anniversary of the fire 146 years ago in 1871. The inferno burned nearly everything in its path from New Franken to Sturgeon Bay.

Belgian booyah (a type of chicken soup) will be sold in between the presentations for $4 a bowl. All proceeds will benefit the Belgian Heritage Center in its mission to preserve and promote the area’s unique culture, history and architecture.

Also in between the presentations, participants will have an opportunity to view recently installed exhibits including an interactive picture gallery and a video gallery highlighting stories of the Belgian culture and Walloon language.

The Belgian Heritage Center is located at 1255 County Road DK, Brussels (the former St. Mary of the Snows Church in Namur). Find more about the center at belgianheritagecenter.org.