APPLETON, Wis. — Curious pedestrians sometimes stop in their tracks at the sound of metal and plastic weapons clashing in a vacant downtown Appleton lot.

The sign in the yard reads: "Wisconsin Historical Fencing Association." They’re Historical European Martial Arts (HEMA) practitioners.

There’s an Appleton police car in the lot. The man who drives that car also purchased the lot and started this group 15 years ago. He said his work through the Wisconsin Historical Fencing Association keeps him a part of the community, not above the community.

“This is just something I do to keep myself engaged and plugged in,” said Aaron Pynenberg HEMA Master instructor and Appleton Police Department sergeant. “I enjoy teaching and being able to be outside of the uniform to connect with people in my community.”

HEMA is a mix of martial arts and archeology. Pynenberg digs through medieval and renaissance texts to translate and interpret historical lessons.

“When you read something from 500 years ago about some training idea or some training tactic or technique and then you’re able to apply it out here against somebody who’s uncooperative, you’re like, wow,” said Pynenberg. “It’s like shaking hands with somebody who’s been dead for 600 years.”

Pynenberg’s been with the APD for 26 years, including a long stretch on the SWAT team. He also spent time in the military as a combat medic. Lessons learned in HEMA can be applied to other endeavors.

“Controlling your emotions, being able to control your body, that’s what we see in and law enforcement and military today that pays dividends,” said Peyenberg. “Making good decisions. Being able to be calm under pressure.”

He started the group 15 years ago. Some members have gone into law enforcement careers as well. Peyenberg recently ran new members through their first lesson. 

“He kicked my butt today,” said Jadon Waits, 17, of Lomira. 

New members took up plastic swords instead of metal but were still all smiles after their session.

“I’ve always been into sword fighting,” said Noah Gumness, 16, of Pickett. “It’s been my childhood dream to learn actual sword fencing. I’m very excited.”

“Everyone’s heard of the Legend of Zelda series, right? Well, I want to aspire to be like Link. A warrior. A real fighter,” said Waits.

Whatever the reason for joining, Peyenberg connected newcomers to the past.

“There’s something going on here,” said Peyenberg. “There’s something going on besides just LARPing (Live Action Role Playing) or fooling around. Anyone who walks by is initially curious and then taken in by what they see. What they see are these ancient techniques.”

History lessons taught by Peyenberg with a sword.

“It’s really like ghosts are walking amongst us,” said Peyenberg.