About

Click here to read some of the rich architectural history of our neighborhood. A special thanks to Ann P. Kloehn and the late Frank Rippl for their hard work and dedication compiling and writing this Historic Walking Tour Script.

For a history of the neighborhood group, read below:

2007-2015: Neighbors initiate organization of the Historic Central Neighborhood (HCN), and with support from the emerging Neighborhood Partners program conduct a planning process with door-to-door surveys followed by several meetings to create a plan with a first focus on revitalizing Arbutus Park, including multiple picnics, park stewardship project, a Saturday mornings nature club for families with young children, and a butterfly mosaic public art project. In addition, with an environmental sustainability-related grant from the Community Foundation for the Fox Valley Region and several HCN members interested in sustainability issues, HCN and Neighborhood Partners undertook installation of the St. Therese Community Garden and grass/trees at Columbus School, Junior Landscapers youth training program, neighborhood gardening materials distributions, native plant and home energy efficiency workshops, and a teach-your-tips home garden tour.

2013: Neighbors apply for official status as part of the City of Appleton's neighborhood program which makes HCN eligible for annual small project grants from the city.

2013: HCN core team begins distributing the Historic Central Neighborhood Voice newsletter.

2015: Former Columbus Elementary Principal and Neighborhood Partners staff identify a need for students to experience more one-on-one relationships with caring adults.  Neighbors conduct an asset discovery campaign to learn what neighbors have to share with young people. Neighbor Ed launches with a Saturday morning event and continues in partnership with the Boys & Girls Club after school program. 

2017:  A Neighborhood Connector is employed to help neighbors build connections. First funded through NeighborCARE, an initiative focused on creating natural supports for residents aging in place, Neighborhood Partners soon absorbed the Connector position with a broader focus on connecting all neighbors.

2018:  Neighborhood Partners supports a community planning refresh with door to door survey and series of meetings to set new priorities: Better home maintenance, more community events/participation, and safety.

2018-Present:  HCN core team host mingles, pot lucks, historic walking tours, local business tours, and summer walks.

2019:  HCN and Neighborhood Partners host Big Puppets Parade in partnership with Lawrence/City Park Neighborhood residents.

2021:  HCN hosts Porchfest with 9 local bands performing on neighborhood porches around Columbus School.

2022:  HCN grows it core team, hosts the 2nd Annual Porchfest, and continues monthly events and newsletter creation and delivery. After a COVID hiatus, Neighborhood Partners relaunches Neighbor Ed at Columbus Elementary School and begins organizing neighbors block by block through the Block Connector Program.

Affiliations with Community Partners

City of Appleton:  HCN became an official neighborhood in the City of Appleton's Neighborhood Program in 2013. This means we have access to small grants from the city for projects each year. 

Columbus Elementary School & Boys and Girls Club of the Fox Valley:  HCN and Neighorhood Partners have been working with Columbus and the Boys and Girls Club over the years to bring programming like Neighbor Ed to our neighborhood youth.

Neighborhood Partners:  Along with the assistance provided by Neighborhood Partners in forming the HCN association in the early days, Neighborhood Partners is currently bringing Neighbor Ed to HCN, a program in which neighbors come to Columbus Elementary School to teach students fun and engaging lessons. Neighborhood Partners is also currently developing a Block Connector program and recruiting neighbors who would like to get to know their immediate neighbors better and strengthen relationships in HCN one block at a time. Email Brianne at b.connelly26@gmail.com if you'd like to participate in Neighbor Ed or the Block Connector program.

NeighborWorks Green Bay:  Neighborhood Partners became a part of NeighborWorks Green Bay in 2021. This means that HCN has access to the talents of NeighborWorks Green Bay which has a strong focus on homeowner preparation and solving housing challenges.

Core Team members are residents of the Historic Central Neighborhood who meet monthly to plan events and put together neighborhood announcements and newsletters. The Core Team is ever-changing and any HCN resident is welcome to become a member. Email hcnappleton@gmail.com to get involved.