The history of the “Great Fire of 1871”, known locally as the Peshtigo Fire, lives on with special presentations by Barb (Englebert) Chisholm of Sturgeon Bay.  Chisholm, a fifth-generation American of Belgian descent with ancestors who survived the devastating fire over 148 years ago, will speak at the Belgian Heritage Center next month.  Dressed in character as her great-great-grandmother, Chisholm shares the story of the Englebert family’s survival.

Chisholm, who volunteers at the Belgian Heritage Center in Brussels, will present her program on Saturday, October 5 at 10:30 am and Sunday, October 6 at 10:30 am and 1 pm.  An oral history video called “Women’s Work”, featuring stories told in English and Walloon about the role of women in the Belgian settlement area in the early days will also be shown.   

(photo courtesy of Belgian Heritage Center)