Document - Historical Society Minutes - Eagan HIstorical Society Minutes 11072007 - 11/7/2007
MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 7, 2007
A regular meeting of the Eagan Historical Committee was held on Wednesday, November
7, 2007 at 3:30 p.m. in the Eagan Room at Eagan City Hall. Members present were: Chair Ted
Wachter, Alyce Bolke, Millie Gagnac, Kim Hazel, Gin Knight, Nancy Ingerson and Dawn
Simpson. Also present was Communication Coordinator Foote.
Dawn Simpson, 3980 Lexington Avenue, introduced herself to the Committee and it was
noted she lives on the old Heuer family farm.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
The minutes of the October 2, 2007 Eagan Historical Society meeting were approved as
presented.
1914 TOWN HALL OPEN HOUSE RECAP
The Committee discussed the 1914 Town Hall open houses which were held on October 4,
2007 and October 7, 2007. Foote stated the open houses were well attended and noted there were
approximately 80 plus attendees, a lot of which were first time visitors. It was suggested for the
next open house to notify and market to the scouting troops.
PLANNING PROCESS FOR TOWN HALL SIGN
Foote introduced the item displaying a template of the Town Hall sign. She noted that she
would need assistance in gathering historical information and photos about the Town Hall, which
could then be incorporated into the sign. Hazel and Knight volunteered to assist and will track down
the information on the Art Rahn photograph and the others which are displayed inside the Town
Hall. They will see if we can get copies of the photos in a more manageable size. The committee
discussed purchasing a book which contains sought after photographs of Eagan residents inside the
Town Hall.
Foote updated the committee on the Thresher Fields’ sign stating it has temporarily been
taken down because of construction in the park. The committee discussed the sign and possibly
purchasing a bench to place near the sign and other salvaged materials which could be used near the
sign.
REMAINING BUDGET ITEMS FOR 2007
The committee discussed the Interpretive Sign for the old Town Hall and noted that budget
amount will be used yet this year. Foote stated the amount budgeted for reproduction, lamination
and hardware is $600. She stated that after the cost of the sign, there should be approximately $800
remaining in the 2007 budget.
Historical Committee
November 7, 2007/2
The committee discussed purchasing window film and the repair of wood around the
windows at the Old Town Hall. Foote explained that the maintenance issues at the Town Hall were
being looked at by City Facilities Maintenance Staff and would likely be larger than the Historical
Society budget could support. Facilities Maintenance Staff will be seeking bids for the work and
will coordinate a means for funding the needed work.
MINNESOTA 150 CELBRATION GRANTS
INFORMATION AND PARTICIPATION DISCUSSION
Foote stated the Parks and Recreation Department has applied for a MN150 grant for Holz
Farm. She further stated she would find out more information on the grant for which they applied.
Foote commented the History Committee may have little chance getting another grant within the
same community.
Foote reviewed and discussed an email from Mary Ellen Voracek, who could not be present,
stating her suggestions and ideas to the Minnesota 150th year celebration and Eagan’s 150th year
celebration.
The committee discussed locations and sites for a historical sign including Highway 13/Red
River Trail, Nichols Station and Scotts General Store. Knight will bring in photographs and
information to the next meeting regarding Scotts General Store as the committee liked this location
best. Community Development Director Hohenstein stopped into the meeting and was informally
asked whether there might be a location that the City owns near this area which might be available
for the placement of a sign of this type. Hohenstein indicated that he thought there would be several
possible locations available and added that public art, which might include this type of interpretive
signage was included in the plans for the Cedar Grove Redevelopment area and therefore even more
signage might be considered for that area.
OTHER BUSINESS
Knight stated Joe Poske has the original sign from the Lost Spur and is willing to donate it
to the History Committee. The committee agreed to secure the sign. Foote stated that she would
find a location for the sign to be stored once its dimensions were determined.
Foote introduced and the committee and indicated she had been contacted by a company that
produces pictorial history books. She suggested that the committee might consider developing
another book continuing from where the Lone Oak Years book left off to the present, that could be a
part of the 2010 celebration. The group agreed to consider the possibility at a later date.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting of the Eagan Historical Society will be Tuesday, December 4,
2007 at 3:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
Historical Committee
November 7, 2007/2
Upon acclamation by the Committee, the meeting was adjourned.
Cheryl Stevenson
From:Ron Voracek <rvoracek@mninter.net>
Sent:Tuesday, November 06, 2007 11:03 PM
To:Joanna Foote
Subject:Nov. 7 Historical Society Meeting
Hi Joanna,
Since all retailers want everything connected with Christmas on display "preferably yesterday" I'm having a
very busy week and may not get to the meeting tomorrow before everyone is ready to go home!!
Just want to toss out a couple opinions on agenda items...............
MN 150 yr Celebration -- I definitely like the historical marker thought for Highway 13 (Red River Trail) --
could it be combined at a location that would also include Blackdog Village ???? If so, I believe that would be
somewhere near the Lost Spur Golf Club area ? As the future of Half-Way house is unknown, it probably
wouldn't be a suitable time to put up a marker -- and since the Holz Farm is concentrating it's restoration to the
1940's era, a marker mentioning an earlier period in history somehow doesn't seem to fit in..............again, just
thoughts!
EAGAN 150 yr Celebration -- for starters I definitely like the idea of the 150 trees -- a lot of thought as to
locations could make this more meaningful -- the type (s) of trees and size would determine the cost of this
project -- all Oaks of various types? Could be combined with Arbor Day -- could get school children and/or
groups involved -- etc., etc. Personally, I would like to see a Community Christmas Tree somewhere that
would be lighted each holiday season.................
Hope to see you tomorrow, but I will be working out of Eagan earlier in the day and never sure how larger
projects cooperate!!!
Mary Ellen Voracek
651-452-1180
rvoracek@mninter.net
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