Pinecrest Historical Village


The Creation of the Village

Imagine a small travel trailer, its silver metal reflecting the heat of a warm Wisconsin summer day. In this make-shift storage shed works a small team of dreamers, wearing dress shirts and sweating as they look over land plans transforming the 40 acre farm field around them into an outdoor historical village. MCHS Board President Armond Kueter, Past President Joseph J. Rappel, and Pine Crest planning committee members had a vision for what our Society and museum could become and today we are entrusted with its success.

Over 50 years ago, neighbors like you gave generously, held bake sales, and passed the offering basket again and again to secure treasured century old structures and build, debt-free, what would become Pinecrest Village. Land was donated by Hugo and Eleanor Vetting in November 1969 to create our historic village.

When the first wave of visitors came to our museum in 1977, the future was far from guaranteed. Many sacrificed what little they had and their valuable time and energy to keep the gates open.

The Manitowoc County Historical Society and its Pinecrest Historical Village soon became part of the fabric of our community. It’s where the stories of our ancestors are preserved, where our family roots are shared, and where our triumphs, tragedies, and laughter will forever live. It’s the place we all count on to be there for us and for those of the future.

During the 1977 dedication of the Village, volunteer and committee member Edward Ehlert asked, “Where do we go from here”? He said that depends on you, your generosity, and your spirit.





Pinecrest Today

Today, the recreated Pinecrest Village features over 30 structures gathered from throughout Manitowoc County. Our museum campus is divided into 3 theme areas: 

  • Newcomers: Discover life for early immigrants to Wisconsin in the mid to late 1800s

  • The Village: Experience life around the year 1900 for a rural Wisconsin town

  • Rural Settlement: Follow the action of an engaged community that is coming of age with new technology at the turn of the 20th century.

Newcomers themed area

Discover life for early immigrants to Wisconsin in the mid to late 1800s. Structures include:

  • Helle-Thompson Cabin (c. 1850, Valders)

  • Kunze Cabin (c. 1860, Newton)

  • Petzold Smokehouse (c. 1896, Schleswig)

The Village themed area

Experience life around the year 1900 for a rural Wisconsin town. Structures include:

  • Sorenson House (c. 1860, Valders)

  • Shadyside School (c. 1872, Manitowoc Rapids)

  • Nennig Dance Pavilion (c. 1890, Cleveland)

  • Niles Chuch

  • Two Creeks Town Hall

  • Rockwood Fire House

  • Rank Dress Shop

  • General Store and Meat Market

  • Kummer Smokehouse

  • Newton State Bank

  • Land and Law Office

  • Cheese Factory

  • Print Shop

  • Medical Office

  • Blacksmith and Carpentry Shop

  • Harness Shop

  • Collins Depot and Soo Line Locomotive

Rural Settlement themed area

Follow the action of an engaged community that is coming of age with new technology at the turn of the 20th century. . Structures include:

  • Poll House (c. 1900, Meeme)

  • Meeme House (c. 1855, Meeme)

  • Livery Stable (c. 1860, Meeme)

  • Granary (c. 1870, Francis Creek)

  • Krueger Mill (reconstructed in 2020)