Document - Historical Society Minutes - Meeting Minutes - 10/2/2012MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
October 2, 2012
3:30 p.m. – EAGAN ROOM
Members present: Bea Blomquist, Ron Erickson, Millie Gignac, Kim Hazel, Bernie Jansen, Joe Reid, Joan
Remick-Kennedy, Ted Ringberg, Lori Tripp, Mary Ellen Voracek, Kenneth Ekblad and Communication
Coordinator Joanna Foote.
MEETING MINUTES & SECRETARY
The minutes from September 11, 2012 were approved and accepted.
JOINT MEETING WITH DCHS STAFF
Chad Roberts and Rebecca Snyder with Dakota County Historical Society gave an update noting they are
working with some 45 organizations throughout the County. They appreciate the work that the Eagan
Historical Society is doing and believe there are ways of partnering, either formally or informally.
Roberts gave examples of two types of partnerships DCHS currently has with City Historical Societies—
Burnsville and Lakeville.
Association Chapters have a membership in the DCHS and receive all benefits of that organization plus
their own Chapter. If we want to pursue funding/donations, DCHS can be the fiscal agent. The County is
providing image storage and this is “huge” next year they will have 2 terabytes\backup.
MNHS stopped making microfilm copies of papers in 2009.
The first goal we need to determine is what we hope to accomplish through partnership. Some ideas
included sharing exhibits, exhibit space, archival projects and assistance, grant assistance, event
programming, joint marketing, etc.
DCHS is in good financial health with an annual budget of $300,000 with approximately 10 part time
staff. They typically run with a surplus of a year. Largest single funding source is Dakota County,
providing the building plus an operating grant applied for each year and matching $25,000 for funds
raised.
Roberts indicated a number of projects DCHS is currently undertaking:
• Revising the DCHS Web site- it had ½ million researchable documents online, had to pull some
down to make it function. The site is being redesigned.
• Lockheed Martin is donating a large quantity of items related to their history here in Eagan and
beyond. DCHS will be creating a permanent display for these items at the South St. Paul
Museum. This is a project they are very excited about. The donation and moving of materials
will occur in November.
o Reid noted that he will put together an article and perhaps photos regarding the Reid
family property which Lockheed Martin now sits upon.
• DCHS is currently doing a project regarding Lebanon Hills Park.
Ringberg asked more specifically what the partnership options with DCHS might include and what
obligations would be involved for the Eagan Historical Society.
Roberts indicated that each partnership at present operates differently with DCHS
• We could stay as we are and simply partner informally with sharing photos and information and
guidance.
• We could determine that the two organizations would jointly commit to doing “x, y, z” together
annually.
• Often there is a shared funding resource between partner agencies in which DCHS receives a
portion of the partner agency dues/funding.
• The largest partner chapter at present is the Friends of LeDuc of Historic Hastings. They hold
monthly meetings; have speakers at 9 of the 11 meetings. They provide most of the volunteers
for events at LeDuc. Members have provided artifacts and stories for “over the years”.
• Dakota County Genealogy Society holds events and a joint picnic annually.
• Legacy Amendment – The City could apply for a grant. DCHS can help manage that project.
In summary, the Eagan Historical Society members agreed to discuss options more thoroughly at a
subsequent meeting and determine what a potential partnership plan might include. At minimum the
group agreed that space at Eagan facilities might be made for DCHS display material and EHS might
attempt to have a presence at some of the DCHS events or programming.
BOOK PROJECT UPDATE
Communications Coordinator Foote updated the group on the book project. The author’s writing and
research project is progressing. Chapters are coming in more slowly than expected but progress
continues. As of this point, it is expected that the book will be available in the spring.
FALL OPEN HOUSES
Communications Coordinator Foote noted the fall open houses are scheduled for Sunday, October 14
from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Tuesday, October 16 from 4 to 6 p.m. The group discussed staffing and
updating the trivia questions.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 13 at 3:30 p.m. with a work session in
advance from 1:30-3:30 p.m. to work on the display windows in City Hall.
ADJOURNMENT
Blomquist made a motion to adjourn the History Committee meeting and Reid seconded the motion. All
members voted and adjournment was at 5:05 p.m.
