The Appleton History Museum unveiled their newest collection of books from local authors and historic documents. June 18, 2025. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — Rows of books fill the shelves at the new Claudine and Jim Happel Fireside Library at the Appleton History Museum, collecting publications from local authors to put on display.
“It’s been about a year in the works,” said Treasurer Thomas Miller. “Part of the heart and soul of the Historical Society has been research, and preserving the history of Appleton, exclusively Appleton.”
The library’s collection contains more than just publications by local authors. It also includes a collection of yearbooks from all five local high schools.
Claudine Happel was the librarian at Appleton West High School for 33 years. She is the namesake for the new library, and said it’s important to preserve that history.
“Technological advancements are wonderful, but I still think it’s important to have that physical object that you can hold on to, look at, do research. I don’t want that to be lost,” Happel said.
Miller said a collection of historical records of actual people, not just of city plans and maps, is important to telling the city’s story.
“It’s one thing when you’re travelling to look at somebody else’s past, but to see how we’ve presented it, and how we’re really strong on presenting the people, the culture, the architecture, the businesses in the area,” he explained. “It makes it very important to us and to our guests that come through the library.”
Miller added the city will continuously rotate the collection in the library, and they’re not done yet.
“We never stop taking history, and history is being made every day. We continue to collect and archive, so yes, the library will continue to grow. We look at it as a gift to the community,” said Miller.
The Appleton Historical Society will be holding a grand opening for the new library June 19 from 5-8 p.m.
Comments