On Screen


Jerry Apps, PhD - Writer/Historian and the author of "When the White Pine Was King: A History of Lumberjacks, Log Drives, and Sawdust Cities in Wisconsin".


Catherine Koele - Wisconsin DNR, Wildfire Prevention Specialist.


Jed Meunier, PhD - Wisconsin DNR, Ecologist and Research Scientist, 1871 Peshtigo Fire Expert.


Laura Marotz - Peshtigo Fire Museum Director & Historian

Ron Strojny - Peshtigo Fire Historian


More to come!

Popular posts from this blog

Final production on new PESHTIGO documentary set for May and June

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Emmy award-winning filmmakers Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films will return to Peshtigo, Wisconsin in late May to conduct several more interviews for their new documentary PESHTIGO: American Firestorm. The documentary combines vintage photos, artists renderings, limited re-enactments and archival materials with eye-witness accounts and perspectives from present-day historians, conservationists, wildfire experts, scholars and survivor ancestors to tell the dramatic story of America’s deadliest firestorm.  PESHTIGO is funded in part by a grant from Wisconsin Humanities, with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities, as well as generous supporters of the project. The documentary is slated for a "Sneak Preview" in October 2026. Check back for more details. Add your name to the film's credits! You can make a tax-deductible contribution for $100 or more via our Fiscal Sponsor, the Peshtigo Historical Society. Visit their website here:  Peshtigo Historica...
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154th Anniversary of Tragic Peshtigo Fire Commemorated October 8 by Peshtigo Historical Society

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October 8th, 2025 marked the 154th anniversary of the great Peshtigo, Wisconsin fire. The Peshtigo Historical Society presented its annual memorial commemorating the tragedy and honoring the victims and those who survived. The 1871 October firestorm incinerated 1.2 million acres and killed approximately 2,500 people. It is considered the deadliest fire in American history. Kelly and Tammy Rundle of Fourth Wall Films filmed the commemoration and the candlelight vigil for their documentary PESHTIGO: American Firestorm . They also filmed the mass grave at Peshtigo Fire Cemetery, and Harmony Cemetery and Mays Corners Cemetery where other victims of the fire are buried. “PESHTIGO: American Firestorm” (working title) will combine vintage photos, artists renderings, limited re-enactments and archival materials with eye-witness accounts and perspectives from present-day historians and scholars, including Jerry Apps, PhD, the author of “When the White Pine was King”, and conservationists to tel...
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"Peshtigo" film scholar, acclaimed author and Wisconsin historian Jerry Apps passes away

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  Jerry Apps during his interview for "Peshtigo: American Firestorm. " Like so many, we are heartbroken to learn of the passing of aut hor, Wisconsin historian and friend Jerry Apps. We were so very fortunate to know him and to have worked with him on three documentary projects, including most recently on "Peshtigo: American Firestorm". Jerry was and always will be one of those special people who had a major positive impact on our lives. We cannot imagine a world without him. Our deepest sympathy to his beloved family, and to all who loved him. He was an amazing man and he will live on and on in our hearts. We include a video link to one of Jerry Apps' iconic moments in Fourth Wall Films' award-winning "The Barn Raisers": Never Curse the Rain. Below is Jerry's Obituary. Jerold Willard Apps July 25, 1934 — December 23, 2025 Madison Jerold W. Apps Ph.D., 91, peacefully passed away at Agrace Hospice in Fitchburg after a short illness. He was st...
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