Great Fire Remembrance at Our Lady of Champion

The Belgian Heritage Center will explore the history and science of the Great Fire of 1871, which devastated Northeast Wisconsin while sparing the Chapel of Our Lady of Good Help grounds, where people gathered with Sister Adele Brice to pray.

• Presentations begin at 1:15 p.m. and repeat at 3:00 p.m., featuring:
  • Sandy (Lampereur) Orsted’s “Belgian Life on the Door Peninsula,” highlighting Belgian settlements before and after the fire.
  • Retired Captain David Siegel’s explanation of the fire’s deadly nature and common misconceptions.
  • Barb Englebert Chisholm’s re-enactment of her great-grandmother Emmerence Gaspart Englebert’s experiences as a fire survivor.
• Presenters will be available throughout the afternoon to talk with visitors.
• Award-winning booyah will be served at lunch, with Belgian settlement exhibits and Belgian-themed merchandise also available.