Document - Historical Society Minutes - Eagan Historical Society Minutes 09132011 - 9/13/2011 MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
SEPTEMBER 13, 2011
3:30 p.m. – EAGAN ROOM
Members present: Ted Ringberg, Bernie Jansen, Mary Ellen Voracek, Kim Hazel, Bea Blomquist, Jean
Janssen, Bruce Bader and Martin DesLauriers. Also present was Communication Coordinator Joanna Foote.
MEETING MINUTES & SECRETARY
Joanna Foote and Kim Hazel both took notes for the September 13, 2011 meeting. A motion was made by
Martin DesLauriers and seconded by Bea Blomquist to approve the minute from the August 2, 2011 meeting.
UPDATE EAGAN HISTORY BOOK/GRANT PROCESS
Daniel J. Hoisington, the author retained by the City of Eagan to as a researcher and author Eagan’s history
book was introduced by Joanna Foote. He is an author of several local history books including New Ulm,
Brooklyn Park/Brooklyn Center.
Mr. Hoisington relayed information regarding his work as an author and as an Historical Society Director. He
discussed his need for assistance from the group in finding interview subjects and other resources regarding
Eagan’s history from 1974-present. He gave the members and assignment to complete before he returns for
our October meeting. List three people who are not in government but were influential in Eagan during the
timeframe. Suggestions included ministers, community leaders, club members and fire fighters, etc. Outline
the top three events since 1974 that has made Eagan what it is today. He stated that he will need the Historical
Society members assistance in gathering old pictures from 1974 and newer and also suggested that the
members be thinking of the stories that have become local folklore, or those individuals who may be able to
tell them as these are the pieces that will make the book most interesting to readers. Finally, determine those
things that each member feels absolutely needs to be included in the book.
Bea Blomquist noted that she will be in Arizona by October so gave her suggestions at this point. She would
include the topics of zoning and rezoning as the thing that Eagan was most focused upon during that time
period. She would also include the topics of how the demographics and population have changed and the
development of businesses and neighborhoods, due to the introduction of the freeway system.
INVITATION TO PARTICIPATE IN WWIII EVENT
Roy Rygula representing the Dakota City Heritage Village introduced himself. He invited The Eagan
Historical Society to participate in the WWII event held indoor at the Dakota County fairgrounds May 19 and
May 20, 2012. He stated that this will be a wonderful opportunity for people of all ages and backgrounds to
learn many different aspects of the war. It was suggested that the group could participate in any manner it
wished and could sell books and cards, and talk about the Eagan Historical Society. Other groups participating
include U.S. Crop Corp and the U.S. Tree Volunteers. He indicated they would be especially interested on the
focus of those things that happened on the home front during the War years.
Martin DesLauriers suggested Richard Carroll. Foote mentioned that Tony Caponi had also been a speaker at
the Funfest serice memorial event this year and she noted that the Historical Society has a small display of
items from Ted Wachter with Ration Stamps, information about his farming experiences through the War
years, etc.
REVIEW PROFILE OF EAGAN RESIDENT FORM
Members discussed the form that had been presented by Ted Ringberg at the previous meeting. The form
could be used at Open Houses and other Historical Society and community events to ask people to complete a
few questions about themselves and their lives/experiences in Eagan. It was suggested that we add both a
“Current Address” and “Former Address” area to the form so we have current contact and also an historical
location for the individual/family if it is different.
It was also suggested that the form could be made available online and could be customized for specific
groups, i.e. Fire Chiefs, Cedar Grove Residents, etc. if the group chooses to meet with and or target specific
groups or individuals.
NAMETAG UPDATE
Foote stated that Denice Muccio-Grout, City of Eagan Receptionist, is researching prices on the various
nametags. Each version will have the Eagan’s Town Hall image on the nametag. Foote described several of
the options and the group determined it would like to have both temporary stick on name tags as well as a
more permanent type in which removable marker could be used for names.
JOINT MEETING WITH HOLTZ FARM GROUP
The group discussed the benefits of a potential partnership with the Holtz Farm, Friends of the Farm Group.
Ideas to discuss at a joint meeting that might benefit the Historical Society would be the ability to create
displays at the farm with items from our collection that do not fit or are more appropriate in a home or farm
setting. Examples include the crib and cradle the Society has or a variety of farm implements we have in the
collection (or could potentially receive) twhich we do not have space to store.
Also mentioned, the house turns one hundred years old. The group had discussed preparing a photo display
for Lone Oak Days with photos from its collection but after researching found there are indeed no photos of
the house itself, only the barn and silo area.
Lone Oak Days are held the last weekend in September. It was noted that there are a few more
meetings/events coming up in November that will be further discussed at the October meeting.
It was also noted that Mayor Polzine’s wife, Agnes, was William Holz (the blacksmith at Wescott) daughter.
OTHER
Robbers Ravine Sign dedication has been cancelled for September due to a number of issues. Foote will keep
the group informed as she makes decisions regarding the sign.
Foote circulated a group of photos of the groundbreaking and early site photos of the Univac property that
had been donated by a Univac/Unisys employee. She also passed around a Farmer’s itemized Ledger book
that had been donated to the group by Roger Starn, an Eagan resident who lives on property that was the
original William Holz Farm near Wescott. Bea Blomquist noted that she has a number of items to donate to
the Historical Society including the crib used by Herb Polzine (Eagan’s first Mayor) when he was a baby.
Foote and Hazel to pick the items up from Blomquist on September 22, 2011 at 2:00 pm.
Bernie Jensen brought in a mailing from Lawshe Memorial Museum listing upcoming events though the
Dakota County Historical Society and also distributed information about membership to the Dakota County
Historical Society.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4, 2011 at 3:30 p.m. at the Eagan Room, located
at the City of Eagan Municipal Center.
ADJOURNMENT
DesLauriers made a motion to adjourn the History Committee meeting. Hazel seconded the motion. All
members voted in favor at 5:00 p.m.