Name: Hear their Stories - Understanding the Realities of the October 1871 Fires
Start: 2025-10-07T17:00:00-05:00
Location: The Rite Place

Hear their Stories - Understanding the Realities of the October 1871 Fires

Dinner and presentation on "Understanding the Realities of the October 1871 Fires" by David Siegel, retired Green Bay Metro Fire Department Captain and author.
Siegel’s presentation will provide an in-depth look at one of the most devastating firestorms in American history. While the tragedies in Peshtigo and Chicago are widely known, Siegel’s research uncovers the broader regional impact, including destruction throughout the Bay of Green Bay area and parts of Michigan’s Lower Peninsula. The presentation will explore historical facts, correct common misconceptions, and offer comparisons to modern firestorm events in the United States.
The book "The Great Fires in Wisconsin of 1871" will be available for purchase. This book includes the "Sketch of the Great Fires in Wisconsin Truthful Incidents by Eyewitnesses". In days following the fires, Frank Tilton, Green Bay Advocate editor, interviewed survivors from the affected communities. He compiled eyewitness accounts of the destruction,devastation and deaths in an 1871 publication to document and preserve the facts. Along with the scenes of blackened corpses and streets strewn with dead farm animals, Tilton describes instances of heroism, love and responses of support for Wisconsin sufferers. The Brown County Historical Society included two scientific articles in this current publication in order to provide contemporary information regarding the weather patterns that set Northeastern Wisconsin ablaze. Professor Jerrold Rodesch, reviewer for this updated edition of the book, emphasizes the combination of Tilton’s contemporary version of witness descriptions, in combination with the modern understanding of climate and wildfire provided by Moran, Somerville and Hopkins, resulting in the best historical perspective available to date.
Location: The Rite Place, 1580 Bellevue St, Green Bay, WI 54311
Date & Time: Tuesday, October 7, 2025
Arrive at 5:00 PM for refreshments at the cash bar, dinner will be at 5:30 PM, presentation will follow the meal. Each guest will be served a plated four-piece broasted chicken dinner including potato, coleslaw, and a roll. If a vegetarian option is required call Chris at 920-437-1840.
Cost is $30 for Non-Members and $28 for BCHS Members.
Deadline is October 1 to purchase tickets.