Document - Historical Society Minutes - Meeting Minutes - 2/7/2012MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
February 7, 2012
3:30 p.m. – EAGAN ROOM
Members present: Chair - Mary Ellen Voracek, Kim Hazel, Millie Gignac, Martin DesLauriers, Joan
Remick, Lori Tripp, Bruce Bader, Joe Reid, Jean Janssen and Bernie Jansen. Also present were
Communication Coordinator Joanna Foote and Janet Bolger.
MEETING MINUTES & SECRETARY
Foote and Bolger took notes for the February 7, 2012 meeting. The minutes from January 3, 2012 were
approved and accepted. There were no corrections.
DAKOTA COUNTY HISTORICAL MUSEUM PLAN
The Committee agreed to tour the Dakota County Historical Society on March 6, 2012 as part of their
monthly meeting. It was decided the members would meet in City Hall at 2:00 pm and proceed to the
Dakota County Historical Society for a tour of their museum and finishing the meeting while still at the
center.
Foote mentioned the Dakota County Historical Society (DCHS) publication called “Over the Years” and
has a great amount of information, sometimes including Eagan history and is available at City Hall.
Committee discussed a range of ideas about hosting with the Historical Society. Foote suggested we
might ask about joint hosting with DCHS of their traveling/rotating displays. The glass showcases at City
Hall would make a great display as would the Town Hall or the Eagan Community Center. Foote asked
for committee input on what areas were of most interest for their tour. For example; archiving of
photos and filing of information, items to pull for us to see. Members discussed the current displays,
the Vietnam Exhibit and possibility the Annual Quilt Display. They always have their permanent display
and then a couple of rotating displays. It was also mentioned that the City of South St. Paul will
celebrate its 125th anniversary this year.
Jansen and Gignac talked about collecting artifacts over the years as members of Sperry/Univac Legacy
Committee. The group is responsible for a large display showing the history of computers and other
artifacts that will be moved during August or September of this year to the DCHS Museum in South St.
Paul. Jansen discussed his years at Unisys/Univac and the evolution of computers and the active role
that they played in our space program as well as the change in size and capabilities.
UPDATE REGARDING EAGAN HISTORY BOOK/GRANT PROCESS
Foote said the author is working diligently in the community compiling interviews and has been reading
through all of the files in the Historical Society’s office in the basement of City Hall.. Recently he
interviewed Tom Hedges and would like to do a group interview with Tom Hedges, Tom Colbert, Gene
VanOverbeke, and Ken Vraa and will separately bring in Martin DesLauriers, Ted Wachter and others.
Foote has given the author a list of history members, community and staff members. Committee is
looking for a collection of photos from 1974 and forward, from farm to corporate and slices of life in
Eagan.
HISTORICAL MARKERS & 2012 PROJECTS
How Robber’s Ravine Got Its Name, the header has been redone because the original posting location of
Robbers Ravine will not work due to the logistics of the area. The new title reads Bank Robbers in
Eagan? A new location for the marker will likely be the southeast corner of Goat Hill Park or in
Lexington Diffley Athletic Fields where the Quigley Family’s property was located. Parks staff is checking
locations. Janssen has not heard back about a potential photo.
Committee discussed the next Historical Marker ideas. One very Interesting talk was the touch and go
field located where the Lexington Diffley Athletic Fields are now. Also at the park, possibly
commemorate the park shelter where the old beams from the first City Hall were reused for the picnic
shelter roof.
OTHER
At the February 7, 2012 meeting a Committee discussion led to a question regarding the original path of
Sibley Memorial Highway 13 and how that area/roadway has changed over time. Tripp produced a map
showing where HYW 13 was located. Committee reminisced about the changes over the years to the
location and businesses of Highway 13 and Cedar Avenue.
Reid discussed the progress that he has made on his St. Peter’s Cemetery project. The document will
contain approximately 70 pages when finished. He will provide copies to all members.
Celebration for the 15th Anniversary of the Eagan Art House is coming up. Committee discussed looking
for early local artist or artistic painters, quilters’ musicians and etc. for the article Foote is writing for the
City newsletter. Jansson indicated that her mother and Uncles were a very talented musical family.
Uncle Joe played the accordion, Ed played the banjo and mom played the accordion too. Reid said he
would check on a jazz musician named Ruben Ristrom.
Committee also discussed July 4, 2012 Funfest Parade, as a Yellow Ribbon Community it was suggested
as a theme. Foote asked if members might again be interested in providing a bus which would this time
carry Veterans and Military families if they would like to participate.
NEXT MEETING
Members will meet at City Hall on Tuesday, March 6, 2012 at 2:30 pm and proceed to Dakota County
Historical Society as a group with Reid meeting us there.
ADJOURNMENT
Hazel made a motion to adjourn the History Committee meeting and Bader seconded the motion. All
members voted and adjournment was at 4:45 pm.