Document - Historical Society Minutes - Eagan Historical Society Minutes 07012008 - 7/1/2008MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY, JULY 1, 2008
3:30 p.m. – EAGAN ROOM
A regular meeting of the Eagan Historical Committee was held on Tuesday, July 1 , 2008 at
3:30 p.m. in the Eagan Room at Eagan City Hall. Members present were: Kim Hazel, Millie
Gignac, Ray Wade, Mary Ellen Voracek, Ted Wachter and Dawn Simpson. Also present was
Communication Coordinator Foote.
UPDATE ON TOWN HALL SIGN DEDICATION & OPEN HOUSE ACTIVITIES – JUNE 1
Foote showed a slide show from the pictures taken at the sign dedication and open house.
Foote noted the event was well attended and very successful. She thanked DesLauriers (in his
absence) for serving as a great emcee and thanked Bolke (also absent the meeting) and Wachter for
their stories and participation as well. She also thanked the rest of the members who were present at
the event who made it a great success. Many positive comments were heard by those in attendance
including some from Mayor Maguire and his family.
The Committee discussed having a Scout Day at the Town Hall but realized that there is no
easy way to contact them as Scout Masters change frequently. The group decided it would simply
try to get information out early about the next open house so that Scouts and Scout Masters will
hopefully see it and attend.
The members suggested checking the Holz Farm schedule of events to find out when Lone
Oak Days is and also check football schedules before determining a date for the next Open House.
Foote will check on the dates of the last weekend in September and the first weekend of October
for a possible date for the open house.
NEXT HISTORICAL MARKER – SCOTT’S GENERAL STORE/NICOLS AREA
A. Volunteers to Gather Information/Photos for Sign:
Knight will continue to search for the Scott’s General Store file downstairs at City Hall.
Mike Scott has a file of information on this area as well. Martin DesLauriers dropped off a packet
of photos and items related to the Nicols area and the Kennealy/Helen and Herb Adelman family
for the group rto scan for its collection. The items were displayed and will be reproduced by the
Committee.
Simpson and Hazel will check with the Dakota County Historical Society, This Week
newspaper and continue to search the History Committee’s archives for possible information and
photos that are pertinent to Eagan and Nicols area in particular.
B. Consider Locations for Sign:
The Committee discussed location sites and, based on information and photos found, the
sign and specific location will then be determined.
Historical Committee
July 1, 2008
C. Update on Area Tour by Mike Scott and Mrs. Schwanz:
Foote noted that Wayne Schwanz’s (the City’s Utilities Superintendant) mother who is in
her 90s, grew up in Nicols and has many memories of the area. She is willing to take a tour of the
area with her son, Scott and Foote to tell us about the area and her recollections. She will also
help us locate exact sites of the Nicols station, store, etc. Foote stated she will call or email
Committee members when a tour date has been determined and set-up with Mrs. Schwanz so
others might also participate if feasible. Foote also noted that Mrs. Schwanz was Eagan’s first
female voter because the voting location was located in her kitchen for the first election that
women were allowed to vote.
DISCUSS DOCUMENT IMAGING/SCANNING & COLLECTION MANAGEMENT
Foote introduced the item explaining the document imaging system and noting its benefits
and capabilities. Foote stated the system scans items into a computerized format for storage and
retrieval. The system is word searchable, easily accessed through electronic file, used as a file
management tool, able to scan documents and photos, and eventually could be made available to the
public. The Committee asked questions and further discussed the system and its benefits to the
Committee and its collection.
Foote stated that she talked with Rebecca Snyder from the Dakota County Historical Society
for recommendations on the use of a document imaging system and will continue to do so if this
type of management system is implemented for the Eagan Historical Society.
OTHER
Ray Wade gave his recollection of Emil Jandric by putting his thoughts on paper for the
History Committee. He gave this document to Foote for the collection.
Dave Hansen, Scout Master, was at the Open House and gave members his contact
information for any Eagle Scout project.
Foote received a phone call from Tom Mullen of the Eagan American Legion Post. He was
very angry that the Flag Day celebration was not planned this year and felt that this was a “slap in
the face of Veterans.” He had also been saving flags to burn at the event as was done in 2007 (as a
demonstration). Foote explained that the group had not planned a Flag Day celebration this year as
it had held the Open House and Sign dedication earlier in the same month and was not able to
coordinate two large events in such a short period of time. She agreed to keep in touch with him
about future plans if a Flag Day event were coordinated next year and told him the group would
welcome an opportunity to partner with events that his group might coordinate.
NEXT MEETING
The next meeting of the Eagan Historical Society will be held on Tuesday, August 5, 2008
at 3:30 p.m. in the Eagan Room.
Historical Committee
July 1, 2008
ADJOURNMENT
Upon motion by Knight, seconded by Voracek, the meeting adjourned at 4:57 p.m. All
members voted in favor.