The newest installment in PBS Wisconsin’s ongoing local history project, Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Appleton premieres at 8 p.m. Monday, April 24 on PBS Wisconsin.

Area residents will have a chance to see the full documentary ahead of the television premiere at two free community screenings at 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 13 at Poplar Hall in Appleton. The film’s producer, Holly De Ruyter, will offer insights into the show’s production and answer questions from viewers at the screenings.

Also at both screenings, Appleton West High School students will present previews of their Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Youth Media projects. The PBS Wisconsin Education team worked with Appleton West High School teachers and students to conduct historical research and learn basic production skills to create mini-documentaries focused on topics important to students.

Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Appleton uses film, archival images, aerial footage and interviews with historians and experts to tell the unique stories of Appleton’s past and the resilience of its residents across generations.

Starting with the Menominee Nation, and continuing with the Meskwaki people and French settlers who predominated the region, the city of Appleton grew from trade and industries powered by the Fox River. The city also thrived in tandem with the rise of Lawrence University, was lit up by innovation, and has been transformed by music and activism.

Admission is free, but an RSVP is required. Reserve your spot at wisconsin-hometown-stories-appleton.eventbrite.com.

Learn more about Wisconsin history at pbswisconsin.org/hometownstories.

Wisconsin Hometown Stories is produced as a partnership of the Wisconsin Historical Society and PBS Wisconsin.

Funding for Wisconsin Hometown Stories: Appleton is provided by the Doug and Carla Salmon Foundation, Chuck and Barb Merry, the David L. and Rita E. Nelson Family Fund within the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region, Mary and Lowell Peterson, Community First Credit Union, Roger and Lynn Van Vreede, Dr. Henry Anderson, the Mielke Family Foundation, Oscar C. and Patricia H. Boldt, the Boldt Company, Robert C. Buchanan and Bonnie G. Buchanan, Peter and Connie Roop, Dick and Chris Calder, the Timothy William Trout Education Fund, a gift of Monroe and Sandra Trout, donors to the Focus Fund for Wisconsin Programs, and Friends of PBS Wisconsin.

PBS Wisconsin is a service of the Educational Communications Board and the University of Wisconsin-Madison.

PBS Wisconsin is a place to grow through learning on WHA-TV, Madison; WPNE-TV, Green Bay; WHRM-TV, Wausau; WLEF-TV, Park Falls; WHLA-TV, La Crosse; and WHWC-TV, Menomonie-Eau Claire.

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