MEETING MINUTES
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
TOTAL ATTENDANCE: 41
PLANNING COMMITTEE IN ATTENDANCE:
Mark & Karen Moderson, Tom Sutter, James Richter, Christine Williams, Linda Muldoon, Laura Leimer, John Marx, Dave Buss.
UPCOMING MEETINGS AND PROGRAMS:
•MAY MEETING – May 18. Erin Dix, University Archivist for Lawrence University-
History of the college since it’s founding in 1847.
•JUNE MEETING - June 15. Tricia Adams, Executive Director, Hearthstone Historical House Museum – Life
• in Appleton during the Victorian Era.
•JULY MEETING – July 20. Frank Anderson, author of “Wicked Fox Cities”
•AUGUST MEETING - August 17. Speaker to be announced.
•SEPTEMBER MEETING – September 21. Janice Krahn, Corporate Archivist and Historian for Thrivent
Financial – the History of the Aid Association for Lutherans.
APPLETON HISTORICAL SOCIETY ORGANIZATIONAL INFORMATION:
•We have some 80 people in our database, and 51 paid memberships thus far.
•Officers have been chosen for the organization as follows:
A. President - Thomas Sutter
B. Vice President - Christine Williams (and Public Relations)
C. Secretary – James Richter
D. Treasurer – Jack Voight
•Board of Directors have been chosen as follows:
A. All Officers shown above.
B. Mark & Karen Moderson, Principal Organizers
C. John Marx
D. Brian Schneider, Technical Resources
E. Linda Muldoon
F. Laura Leimer
G. David Buss
•By-laws have been drafted by Sutter consistent with other Historical Societies. These were submitted to and approved by the Board of Directors.
•Sutter introduced the Officers to the audience.
REPORT ON OUR SECOND AHS HISTORY FAIR AT THE APPLETON DOWNTOWN WINTER FARM MARKET – Saturday, March 19, 2011:
Jim Richter, Chairman, reported on our Second History Fair held as part of the Appleton Downtown Winter Farm Market at the City Center. The event proved to be a success like the first. Public interest continued to be great with 254 visitors attending. Attendees enjoyed viewing tables of exhibits and talking about local history. We were all pleased with the number of visitors and the genuine interest in Appleton artifacts shown. We were lucky enough to have 17 Exhibitors at the March event, and we appreciate all of them for participating.
We especially thank Jennifer Stephany and Dujuanna Hugdahl of Appleton Downtown Inc. for making the event possible. Thanks also go to Pfefferle Companies Inc. and their City Center Staff for providing space, equipment and assistance. We also appreciate the excellent news coverage that was provided prior to the event by the Appleton Post Crescent, the Bargain Bulletin, and WHBY Radio. Many thanks to Community First Credit Union and the Capitol Credit Union for advertising our event on their electronic billboards around the City.
SEMI-PERMANENT EXHIBIT OFFERED IN ZUEHLKE BUILDING MEZZANINE:
Principal Organizer Mark Moderson was contacted by Zuehlke Building management regarding a display case on their first floor mezzanine. After rotating a display by different tenants, they now would like to see a historical display and have asked our Organization to participate. A straw poll of the membership endorsed the idea and Moderson was directed to make arrangements. Brian Schneider, John Marx, Christine Williams, and Jim Richter have agreed to serve as a committee. Other members are encouraged to participate, those interested should contact Mark Moderson by calling (920) 540-3699.
PLANS FOR UPCOMING PROGRAMS AND NEW EVENTS:
Public Relations Director Christine Williams asked for some help in lining up new monthly program speakers. She also reported that there has been some interest in doing one or more “Cemetery Walks” or “History Walks”.
REMINDER TO CHECK THE AHS WEBSITE REGULARLY:
Our Computer Expert Brian Schneider and Public Relations Director Christine Williams are working hard to maintain and update our Web Page. Regularly they are inserting new historic pictures and information about Appleton Historical Society meetings and events in the works. To reach our Web Site go to www.appletonhistory.org
PROGRAM SPEAKER – Jane Azzi, retired librarian and historian - the first paper mill in Appleton, the Richmond Brothers Mill.
•Azzi’s background:
A. Serves as a school librarian for the Appleton Area School District. Served schools which included Appleton East and North High Schools.
B. Serves as the volunteer librarian, archivist, and historian at the Paper Discovery Museum.
C. Volunteer for the Lawrence University Library.
•Azzi Research:
A. Lawrence University Library
B. Appleton Public Library
C. Outagamie Museum
•Chronology of Events:
A. In 1780 Peleg Richmond, the patriarch of the Richmond family, was born in New York.
B. In the 1820’s Peleg Richmond had three sons: George in Hillsdale, New York; Norman in either Massachusetts or New York; and Charles in Massachusetts.
C. In 1850 Norman came to Wisconsin and operated the first paper mill in Wisconsin at Humboldt.
D. In 1852 Charles representing family interests in paper manufacturing arrived in Appleton. Within a year he partnered with Edwin Atkinson to build the first Richmond paper valley in the Fox River Valley at the site of the current Atlas Coffee Mill:
(1) They chose to make paper with rags and straw.
(2) Mill was so successful they were forced to look for workers in other states.
(3) Paper was selling at 6 to 12 ½ cents per pound. Their principal salesman was W.
E. In 1859 the Richmond Mill burns down.
F. 1861 A new Richmond mill built at the foot of John Street hill.
G. During the Civil War George Richmond came to Appleton and became President of the Richmond Paper Mill.
H. Richmond Mill sales in 1864 were $75,000 for the year.
I. 1868 George Richmond became the Mayor of Appleton.
J. 1887 the Richmond Mill again burned down.
K. In the 1890’s a new company was organized on the same site. They built a sulphite fibre plant which was run by Frederick Winslow Taylor.
L. In 1893 the company fails and is reorganized as the Interlake Paper Company with William Fannon remaining in charge.
M. In 1910 William Fannon continued to run the plant and Paine Whitney served as CEO.
N. 1916 a strike took place here and at Riverside Paper Company. Consolidated Water Power and Paper Company purchased Interlake.
•Sue Bogenschutz, Atlas Coffee Mill Co-Owner:
A. Asked that AHS participate in her Farm Market this summer. We would receive a free booth to have exhibits and material on our organization. Executive Committee will discuss at Planning Meeting.
B. Also expressed her vision to keep the recently demolished Appleton Water Plant site as green space and a park. She request AHS help secure the space for that purpose. AHS Executive Committee will evaluate.
•Cemetery Walks:
A. Our Communications Director is Steering this project. People that would like to help should contact her directly.
B. We are encouraging Barb Bacon to run the committee.
C. Jane Azzi has offered to serve on the committee.
Respectfully, James L. Richter, AHS Secretary, 5/10/11