Discover the fascinating history of Appleton with the Appleton Historical Society and Appleton Public Library! Join us for engaging, monthly presentations where history comes alive – every 2nd Wednesday at 6:30 pm (no December meeting). Each session features a different speaker and topic, all dedicated to celebrating and exploring Appleton’s rich past. Best of all, it’s completely free and open to everyone – no membership required! Learn more about Appleton Historical Society at
https://www.appletonhistory.com/.
This month’s presentation: History of Appleton Police Department
Presented by Mark Keller
Mark Keller is a retired Sergeant of the Appleton Police Department, where he proudly served the community from 1974 to 2004. His appreciation for the department’s rich history was inspired by working alongside Arnold “Arnie” Nettekoven, the unofficial historian of the APD. Retired Detective Sergeant Nettekoven served the department from 1960 to 1990 and during that time began collecting newspaper articles and researching APD history during his personal time. His dedication laid the foundation for the APD History Museum. Nettekoven also authored the book Appleton, WI, Law Enforcement History 1850-2000, which chronicles the department’s history.
Following in Arnie’s footsteps, Mark has embraced the role of APD historian himself, continuing the important work of gathering and preserving materials for the APD History Museum to ensure that the legacy of Appleton’s law enforcement is honored for generations to come.
As Mark notes, every item in the museum — whether a photograph, artifact, or article — tells a story. Together, they form a powerful tribute to the men and women who have served the department over the decades. Their service and sacrifice deserve to be remembered and shared.
Also check out other Meetups in Appleton.
