The IMAGE team is proud to announce our participation and contribution to The History Museum at the Castle‘s upcoming exhibit, Progressive Appleton: Through the Lens of W.D. Schlafer. The exhibit will open to the public on November 16, 2011. Not only will visitors see the original imagery of W.D. Schlafer, but photography from everyone at IMAGE! It was our assignment to photograph the city from the exact same perspective and angle as Schlafer’s images from over a century ago. It was great to be a part of this fascinating exploration into our city’s history. We enjoyed it so much that every one of our photographers took a part in capturing images of modern Appleton. So join us, and marvel at what has changed in our city, and what has lasted for over 100 years!

“The late nineteenth and early twentieth century was envisioned as a transition between the past and future. It was a time when dreams of controlled flight, automated factories, and electronic vehicles suddenly became common daily occurences. The exhibit, Progressive Appleton hinges on our city’s evolution from a fledgling rural community to a modern industrial center. Through a collection of 3,000 images, amateur photographer W.D. Schlafer captured this rapidly changing environment during the Progressive Era in Appleton.

Visitors to this exhibit will have the joy of seeing what life was like during this time period, and daily occurences including; the circus coming to town, the first flight in the Fox Cities, the opening day at the Woolworth’s ’5 and 10 store’, a factory explosion, and Appleton’s first presidential visit.” - Content courtesy of The History Museum at the Castle.