Document - Historical Society Minutes - Meeting Minutes - 7/2/2013 MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
July 2, 2013
3:30 p.m. – 2nd Floor Conference Room A/B
Members present: Martin DesLauriers, Millie Gignac, Kim Hazel, Ted Ringberg, Kenny Ekblad and Chair
Mary Ellen Voracek. Also present was Communication Coordinator Joanna Foote.
MEETING MINUTES & SECRETARY
The minutes from June 4, 2013 were approved and accepted without any changes.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUSINESS
Recap of June Open House
The open house had good attendance both days. The committee would like to thank Artist Larry Landis, who
was commissioned to do the 50th anniversary painting for the Eagan Fire Department, who attended both
nights, and Dave Hammer from the Fire Department for bring “Jenny” Eagan’s first fire engine to the open
house on Thursday. The Committee is also considering a September open house in place of its monthly
meeting, along with a Sunday Opening.
Determine Date to Work at Town Hall
It was agreed that time would be set aside Wednesday, July 17, 2013 from 10:00am to noon to clean the Town
Hall and move cabinets, benches etc. for a better layout and flow. Foote will coordinate with maintenance
staff for help in moving the heavier item at 11:00am. She will send out an email reminder. Committee is also
looking at options for some sort of a shed or storage with a lock for behind the Town Hall. The other issue
discussed was the pros and cons providing a port-a-potty at Open Houses.
Recommended Names for New Park Property
Foote described the section of land that will be dedicated as new park property near the old Cedarvale Mall
and the new Paragon Outlet Center “Twin Cities at Eagan.” The committee reviewed the history of the early
residents in that area, names of streets and businesses relationships that formed the area into what it is today.
After a lengthy discussion they came up with the several possible suggestions including: Beau de’ Rue,
Cedarvale Park, Black Smith –Baudette and Black Dog Park.
Streets Alive/Showcase Eagan Event
The “Eagan Streets Alive/Showcase Eagan” event will be held Sunday, September 15, 2013, from 1:00p.m. to
4:00p.m.. Foote showed a map of the area where different activities will be held. Historical Society has
requested an area for demonstration and participatory dances, representative of Eagan’s timeline. There is a
potentially suitable area near the Commons on Maurice which Foote will try to request. Discussion was held
about the possibilities of partnering with the seniors group. Foote also mentioned that she had attended the
Dakota County Historical Society Board meeting and offered them the opportunity to be a partner in this event
as well. We’ve not yet heard beck regarding their intentions.
Foote asked Ringberg to describe to the committee the program they would like to present. Ringberg and his
wife have performed in the past at senior facilities and thought they could present a similar dance
demonstration and participation program at this event. They typically include audience participations with
dances like the Chicken Dance, Polkas, Waltz’s, Swing etc. He said they can also incorporate wash boards and
water bottles filled with un-popped popcorn as rhythm instruments for the crowd to join in.
When a Concertina or bands aren’t available, Ringberg say’s they use CD’s. Foote stated that live music is
more fitting for that time period. Committee members will ask around to see if there is a band or musician
available. Planning for the event will continue.
Begin Considering 1914 Town Hall 100 – Year Commemoration in 2014
2014 will be the 100th Anniversary of the 1914 Town Hall. Foote and artist Larry Landis had a conversation
about the 50th anniversary of the police department (also in 2014) and the 100th Anniversary of the Town
Hall. They discussed the possibility of having him create a painting for both, or each commemoration, similar
to the one he created for the Fire Department 50th Anniversary this year. Members discussed whether the
community would support two paintings representing the separate events or combining both events into one
painting? Another thought was to combine the old town hall and the first 1965 Ford police car and potentially
include the first City Hall. Foote will discuss the options with the Police Chief to determine whether they
would consider a partner project.
Foote talked about the 2014 budget, and what had been included in the proposal she has submitted. She
indicated there are a number of items that are typical each year including supplies, funds for framing and
photo reproduction, an historical marker and an unnamed event. Another budget item that was added in 2014
is a Space Needs Assessment. Foote is working to secure an estimate for the cost of such an assessment. The
assessment would evaluate how much physical storage is needed, what style of storage for those items that
cannot be saved only as a scanned electronic file, as well as the type of climate control that is needed to protect
historical items.
While as indicated, funding was requested for some type of event in 2014, it is likely that additional
Anniversary events might require additional funding via sponsorships from businesses and/or individuals in
the community. Potential 2014 events discussed were more open houses, with videos and speakers to make
events more attractive to the community. It was also suggested that instead of the individual paintings that
were mentioned earlier, it would be more affordable for purchasers if we were to also offer postcards, note
cards, magnets, handouts, etc.
Other
At the June meeting, Ringberg had discussed information he had obtained regarding the Helling family
property near Pilot Knob and Cliff Roads. He indicated the Helling family acquired the property in 1939 at a
purchase price that simply covered back taxes. This property included the land around Jensen Lake. Enclosed
with the July minutes minutes are Ringberg’s typed notes and pictures related to this property.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, August 6, 2013 at 3:30 p.m.
ADJOURNMENT
DesLauriers made a motion to adjourn the History Committee meeting and Ekblad seconded the motion. All
members voted and adjournment was at 5:15 p.m.