Document - Historical information/data - Historical Society update to Dakota County Historical Society Board - 12/1/2014
Eagan Historical Society Report to DCHS Board –
December 2014 – January 2015
Update on 1914 Town Hall Recovery /Transition Planning
Following Special Council Workshops in December and January at which architects provided options for the
restoration and potential move of the 1914 Town Hall, and the City’s financial advisors provided potential
funding sources, the City Council gave the following direction:
• Refurbish the 1914 Town Hall to bring it to its previous condition (including required improvements
per building code)
• To be funded up to the $290,000.00 base cost estimate, through the City’s Community Investment
Fund
• Any additional improvements would need to be done through community fundraising efforts
At its January 6 City Council meeting, the City Council authorized the same architects (Mohagen Hansen) to
prepare plans and specifications for the 1914 Town Hall project, such that the restoration project would be
competitively bid per State law, with the intent to begin the restoration work in the spring/early summer of
2015.
Eagan Foundation Community Grant
The Eagan Historical Society received a $525.00 community grant from the Eagan Foundation to be used
toward exterior lighting at the 1914 Town Hall. The exterior lights will enhance building visibility, improve
security and enable evening visits by the public.
“Old Eagan Town Hall” Prints
The print created by artist Larry Landis to commemorate the 100th year of Eagan’s 1914 Hall has been selling
steadily, especially prior to the holidays. Approximately 25 canvas prints ($120 each) and 40 paper prints ($35
each) have been sold with the proceeds allocated to the Eagan Historical Society. The artist has extended
his copyright agreement with the Eagan Historical Society to allow prints to be made and sales to continue
under this agreement through June, 2015.
Acquisition of Note
The family of “Very Reverend DR. Thomas Edward Shields” a native of Eagan Township 1862-1921 donated a
plaster “Death Mask”(one of two that were made) to the Eagan Historical Society.
Dr. Shields was Head of the Department of Education in the Catholic University and Dean of the Catholic
Sisters College as well as a noted author, most notable for his autobiographical account “The Making and
Unmaking of a Dullard.” He was also a Biologist, Phycologist and an Educator.
