Document - Historical Society Minutes - Historical Society Meeting Minutes - 10/5/2015MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
October 5, 2015
3:30 p.m. – 2nd Floor Conference Room
Members present: Chair Mary Ellen Voracek, Millie Gignac, Kern Hough, Bernie Jansen, Greg Oxley,
Kim Hazel, Lynea Gieseke, Ted Ringberg and Joe Reid. Also present was Communication Coordinator
Joanna Foote.
MEETING MINUTES
The minutes from November were not available.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUSINESS
1914 Town Hall Building Reconstruction
Foote indicated that a majority of the group had visited the Old Town Hall in advance of the
meeting, but updated members who had not visited, indicating that the project is
substantially complete but painting has taken a bit longer due to the multi-layer process
required. Staff expects final walk-throuhg.
Fundraising
Foote recapped a meeting held September 9, at which a group of nearly 30 individuals who
have expressed an interest in possibility making a donation, or have skills in fundraising
and/or the connections with groups or corporations based in Eagan, attended a meeting
with City Staff. Six individuals attended. The focus was to identify remaining project needs
and potentially identify a fundraising team/committee. The group had a good discussion,
asked many questions and shared ideas. Several suggested a presentation by Foote/ City
Administrator Osberg at specific group meetings such as the Lion’s Club, Rotary and others.
The group agreed to meet again but none were especially interested in becoming a part of a
fundraising committee.
Display Reassembly
Foote suggested another work session at the former Fire Admin and continue preparing
items for display.
She also stated that the 2016 budget includes funding for an intern for a number of weeks to
help with this process.
New Membership Drive
A discussion was held at the September meeting and expanded upon by Ted Ringberg to
consider holding public meetings/events for citizens that might “Talk about History” when
OTH is completed. It would be a way to get more residents interested in participating in the
EHS.
Motion made by Ringberg, seconded by Gignac: In conjunction with the completion of the
restoration of the 1914 Town Hall the Eagan Historical Society will make plans to hold
scheduled information meetings open to the public. The meetings will give historical
information to the attendees and in turn the Historical Society may also receive historical
information from the attendees. A short social time would be scheduled to help gain the
attendee’s future interest and support.
Discussion:
Members discussed using the web page, social media and newsletters to let the residents
know about events. History book and playing cards could be available.
Foote noted that she had asked Crystal Couillard to be a part of this discussion and provide
ideas and her marketing expertise. Couillard suggested using a multimedia format to convey
the member’s messages. Members discussed the possibilities of creating regular fun facts
as “bite sized history.” Some ideas generated and available information and topics included:
• 50-year history of the Police Department
• Story boards of the birth of Univac
• To get the resident to read the newsletter cover to cover Hough suggested asking a
question in one article and locate the answer in another article.
• Utilize social media to putting little bits of facts and information out for week’s one
through three and then a quiz on week four.
• It was suggested that a birthday party for the March Town Board meeting
It was agreed that each member come up with questions, comments, items or facts for
social media or newsletters and email responses to Foote by the 19th of October, they will be
included in the next packet. Voracek agreed to email all members, including those not in
attendance and ask for four to five items each on Eagan History.
All members voted in favor of motion.
Streets Alive Recap & Photos
Streets Alive event was held on Saturday, September 12, 2015, 11:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m., at
Eagan Outlets Parkway near the new Outlets Mall. Foote thanked all of the members who
volunteered that day and indicated she was pleased with the amount of engagement
members had with the public and that the public seemed very interested in displays and
information presented. The music and dancing were a nice addition (Thanks to Ted Ringberg
for coordinating) and the signs generated a good deal of interest and discussion. New
member Brad Web stated that he had enjoyed the event and that is what attracted him to
attend the meeting today.
DCHS Update
Oxley reported that the Dakota County Historical Society Board has narrowed it down to
two candidates to interview for the Executive Director position. Andrew Fox now holds the
position of Site Director for the Sibley House site. Enclosed in packet is the September 13,
2015 South-West Reviews’ article titled “DCHS and MNHS pair up on Sibley Historic Site”.
The 100th Anniversary of Americas entry into World War I is coming in 2017 and DCHS is
looking for items such as letters, uniforms, gas masks, etc. or any information possible.
Many Army records for WWI soldiers were on tape and paper destroyed by fire in 1970.
Other
Foote encouraged the members to check out the white board located on the 2nd floor that
says “My wish for Eagan is…” This is part of the “Eagan Forward visioning process Eagan is
undertaking currently. The goal is to get as much community input as possible about what
they envision for Eagan. Boards are location at different city facilities and around the
community as well as an online version at the city’s site.
NEXT MEETING
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, November 3, 2015 at 3:30 p.m. As there is
no local election, only School Board, and no members are involved as Election Judges, etc.
ADJOURNMENT
The meeting adjourned at 5:25 p.m.