Document - Historical information/data - Historical Society Report to Dakota County Historical Society Board - 11/1/2015
Eagan Historical Society Report to DCHS Board
November-December 2015
Update on 1914 Town Hall Recovery
The big news related to the 1914 Town Hall came December 10, 2015 with the announcement of the charges
and arrests made in the Arson at the 1914 Town Hall. Dakota County Attorney James Backstrom announced
that Michael Duane Damron (a/k/a Wade Duane Arvidson), age 52, of Prior Lake, and Wynn Donald Arvidson,
age 50, also of Prior Lake, have both been charged with Arson in the First Degree (a Felony) in connection
with a fire that significantly damaged the Historic Eagan City Hall on September 8, 2013.
Funds Donated to Project
As of year-end 2015, nearly $117,000 had been granted or donated to the 1914 Town Hall reconstruction
project. The largest funding source, beyond the Eagan City Council project allocation (originally $390,000)
was the application and grant for $100,000 in Community Development Block Grants received for the
project. An additional large donation of $10,000 was received from the Eagan Lion’s Club.
The project completion date is very early 2016.
The Eagan Historical Society expects to have some displays back in place with a goal of opening the Town
Hall for visitors in Spring 2016.
Town Hall Returned to 1914 Features & Aesthetics
As a part of the restoration efforts and with the assistance of the architectural firms retained on the project,
the 1914 Town Hall will be returned to a more similar look to its 1914 appearance. By uncovering original paint
and material layers and researching period appropriate building materials, the architect and construction
teams have made choices that more closely reflect the 1914 Town Hall structure of 1914. These materials
include cedar shingles (fire retardant), slightly varied paint colors, wall board and painting technique that
more closely mimics the look of the deepest wallboard layer, etc. The site has also been regraded and the
walkway rerouted to eliminate the 1990 ADA ramp addition on the front entry. The walk now slopes to meet
the doorway at grade.
Departing from the original structure, choices have been made that will provide a more functional museum
space, however, including full climate control, additional lighting fixtures and electrical outlets, etc.
Police 50th Anniversary
The Eagan Police Department held its 50th Anniversary celebration in 2015. As part of the 100-year
commemoration, Communications Coordinator Foote has written five articles chronicling portions of the
Eagan Police Department history, for the Experience Eagan Newsletter. Copies of these articles as well as a
video produced by Eagan-TV to commemorate the Anniversary are available on the City Web site
at www.cityofeagan.com/Police50.
Attracting & Retaining New Members
Although several new members have recently joined the group, following its booth/participation at the
successful Streets Alive, City of Eagan event in September, the Historical Society members wish to continue
to attract and retain new members. The group has begun discussing a variety of ways to attract and retain
new members through events and other initiatives. This discussion and planning is expected to continue into
2016.