Document - Historical Society Minutes - Historical Society Meeting Minutes - 9/6/2016MEETING NOTES/MINUTES
EAGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY
TUESDAY
September 6, 2016
3:30 p.m. – Fire Safety Center Conference Room
Members present: Chair Mary Ellen Voracek, Vice-Chair Kim Hazel, Millie Gignac, Kern Hough, Bernie
Jansen, Ted Ringberg, Brad Webb Lori Tripp, Pat Geagan, Dawn Simpson. Also present was
Communication Coordinator Joanna Foote.
APPROVAL OF MINUTES
Minutes of the July 19, 2016 meeting were accepted without changes.
HISTORICAL SOCIETY BUSINESS
Intern Introduction
Foote noted Emily Heimerman, the intern, was unable to meet with the group today but has been
making good progress on several projects for us.
September and October Open Dates
Foote noted Hough would be able to man the Open Houses in September and she would arrange for
opening and closing. A list was sent around for others to sign up to help staff various (numerous)
September/October events. Loudi Rivamonte is coordinating registration for the September 19th event
with the Eagan 55+ Seniors. There are about 20 people registered. Foote will give a presentation similar
to that presented to donors about rebuilding project. Other members in attendance can help illuminate
various display topics and assist in answering questions.
Hough suggested having a sign-up sheet to gauge interest in topics for “Township Talks.” We can then
create an email list to alert these folks of other events being held. Joanna noted the City has a
subscription option on the Web site and she will create one for the Historical Society.
Recognition Event Prep:
September 29 Event Details
Tripp gave an update noting the invites were emailed out; about 20 people have responded. A reminder
email will be sent out. A trip to Sam’s Club was made to price out desserts, lemonade, and paper
products. Other suggestions made: if serving pie, have a sign that reads “In memory of Mrs. McCarthy’s
pie”. Maybe give away jam jars for Recognition event, no fire truck (as this is a non-public event), name
tags for Historical Society members and public.
Foote that those who have not yet paid for their shirts, they can now make the $20 check out to her as
she paid the balance. She also noted that several people have asked to order Historical Society shirts.
She is checking with the vendor but believes the minimum order is 12. Please let her know if you wish to
order. At present she is aware of the following people being interested in shirts:
Lynea (1) replacement
Kern (1) Black (1) Kelly
Joe (1) ? color
Joan (1) Kelly
Joanna (1) Black
Additional Displays
Discussion was had regarding exhibit topics to coordinate next: Native American, Farming: Onion
Capital, Threshing, Nicols Station area, Starks, Election Information.
Tripp asked about information about the Swift family that Martin had brought. Foote will get it scanned
and returned to Martin as requested.
Geagan asked if there was much information regarding the Diffley family. Foote noted that we did not
have much more in the collection beyond what was included in the Lone Oak Years book and the old
milk can we have displayed (which has the Diffley name stamped on it). Members discussed whether
more could be requested from the family and if anyone had contacts. None were immediately known. It
was suggested, however that Aetna Diffley who wrote “Turn Here Sweet Corn” might be a good
topic/speaker for live talk. Foote mentioned that EHS has purchased this video.
Ringberg brought photo of Art Rahn in the “Jenny” to add to the Firefighters display. He will work to
find information on Burnsville annexation attempt.
Foote also noted that she was able to attend a regional Museum Conference in St. Paul in July. She
stated that she had an abundance of ideas for additional display options at the Town Hall. One method
that particularly intrigued her was by using iPads. The devices could be placed on stands at various
locations in the Town Hall for people to click through pre-loaded “exhibits” and to watch various videos
that we already have created. She will share more ideas as time allows.
DCHS Update
Jansen gave an update regarding the DCHS activities, in Oxley’s absence, noting that work continues on
seeking grants to fund research and coordination of a series of display on WWI.
Other
Ringberg and Hough discussed the possibilities of busing students to Old Town Hall for tours. They
asked the group to consider ways transportation funds could be raised for school groups. Foote also
suggested that contacts might be made with DARTS, MVTA and Jefferson Bus lines (now headquartered
in Eagan).
Hough and Foote made note of the video that Hough had recorded about Eagan being the first “food on
the stick.” The video was posted on the City’s Facebook and Twitter sites on the opening day of the MN
State Fair…it went viral. ()
Adjournment
The formal meeting adjourned at 5:30 p.m. with the tour of the historic displays at the Fire Safety Center
to follow.
Tour of Fire History Areas by Ted Ringberg
Following the regular meeting, Ted will lead the group on a tour of the Fire Safety Center and the
displays contained within.
Foote asked that members note the variety of ways/ideas of how items can be shown or displayed, that
have been utilized throughout the building.
Next Meeting
The next regular meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, October 4, 2016 at 3:30 p.m.