Photo credit:Barbara Hirn

Appleton grew from trade and industry, thrived in tandem with the rise of Lawrence University, and has been transformed by music and activism.

Coming soon: The newest installment in PBS Wisconsin’s history series, Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Appleton tells the story of a city built by the power of the Fox River and reinvented by generations of its people.

The program is made possible by generous support and produced as a partnership of PBS Wisconsin and the Wisconsin Historical Society.

Funded in part by the David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation, the documentary starts with the Menominee Nation, the Meskwaki people and the French who settled in the region.

“We couldn’t do it without the community, the people and the organizations,” said producer Holly De Ruyter.

Photo credit: Lawrence University Yearbook

Double-feature community premiere

Local residents will have a chance to see the documentary ahead of the television premiere at a special screening on Thursday, April 13, at Poplar Hall in Appleton. Screenings at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, but an RSVP is required.

Viewers can watch the televised version when it debuts on PBS Wisconsin at 8 p.m. on April 24, or via free streaming on the PBS Video App.

The David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation is a permanent, donor-advised endowment that generates millions of dollars in grants annually to charitable organizations reflecting the philanthropic interests of the late David and Rita Nelson and their family, primarily in the Fox Cities and Green Bay areas. These interests include parks, recreation and waterways; education; health care; community services and community centers; historic preservation and history — including lighthouses, museums and historical societies; and community catalyst opportunities.   Who were the Nelsons? Learn more about the David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund and find out more about this couple here.