The lumber kings and paper barons of the Fox River Valley transformed a wilderness of vast, rich timber lands and raging river waters into empires of pine, paper, and power. Names such as Kimberly, Clark, Paine, Morgan, Rogers and Whiting ushered in an era of opulence shining with steamboat excursions down the Fox River, lavish hotels and movie houses, and palatial mansions in plush neighborhoods. Much of this bygone age exists now only in photographs, written accounts or memories. Local photographer and historian Scott Wittman utilizes vintage and contemporary photography, journalistic accounts, letters and memoirs to recover this vanishing history of the Fox Cities.

Local artist, KC Wilson, will bring the glittering history of the Fox Cities to vibrant colorful life as she creates art inspired by Scott Wittman’s Lost Fox Cities during the presentation.