Loading...
HomeMy WebLinkAboutHeritage Preservation - 12/16/2002 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MONDAY, DECEMBER 16, 2002 7:00 P.M. Prairie Rooms A & B 8080 Mitchell Road COMMISSION MEMBERS: Lori Peterson-Benike, Chairperson; Betsy Adams, Deborah Barkley,Jennie Brown, Elise Kist, Kati Simons STUDENT REPRESENTATIVES: John Buteyn, Mackenzie Epping, Ron Viland COMMISSION STAFF John Gertz, Historic Preservation Specialist; Peggy Rasmussen, Recorder I. ROLL CALL Peterson-Benike called the meeting to order at 7:02 p.m. with all commissioners present Student Representative Mackenzie Epping was excused. Also present were members of the Historical Society Board of Directors: Marie Wittenberg, Allene Hookom, Arlene Marshall and Bert Rogers. Ginny Dorenkemper and Elliott Saxton were present as guests. II. APPROVAL OF AGENDA Peterson-Benike requested that Item VI. B. Dorenkemper House Siding be moved to the top of the agenda after approval of the minutes. MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Brown, to approve the agenda as published and amended. Motion carried 6-0. III. APPROVAL OF MINUTES —NOVEMBER 18, 2002 MOTION: Kist moved, seconded by Barkley, to approve the minutes of the Heritage Preservation Commission meeting held on November 18, 2002. Motion carried 6-0. VI. NEW BUSINESS B. Dorenkemper House Siding Gertz referenced a letter from the Historical Society to Scott Neal, expressing concern about putting siding back on the Dorenkemper House. Gertz explained that the recommendation he gave the HPC several months ago was to put siding back on the house because the evidence indicates the siding was on the house at a very early date. The HPC reviewed all the background information available and approved putting siding on the house. There was no dissent. Gertz said this information was given to Dan Herbst, and the project is moving forward based on that recommendation. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 16, 2002 Page 2 Gertz said his conclusions were based on a number of factors. He photo- documented the building and physically examined it. He reviewed the historical literature and conferred with a number of professionals, including the State Historical Architect, Charles Nelson, and Robert Vogel, Historic Preservation Officer for the City of Cottage Grove. He also looked at Ginny Dorenkemper's historic photos. The conclusion was unanimous that it was a sided building. Once the building is restored, the building will be interpreted historically according to the time frame when it was built. Gertz said his opinion is that this building was not a log cabin. The logs were in pristine condition when they were uncovered, so it was probably sided very soon after it was built in the 1890s, which was typical of this area's nineteenth century log homes. The logs were brown originally and would not have stayed that way if the house had not been sided. Now that the logs are exposed, they have changed to a gray color, so that also shows it was sided. The State Historic Architect advised putting siding back on because it will preserve the building. Gertz explained that his recommendation is that one area on the interior would be covered with Plexiglas so people can see the logs and the original chinking. To go with the log cabin approach would expose the logs and chinking to the elements. Historic material would be lost. Ginny Dorenkemper said people want to see the logs. That is unique. The logs have been preserved by applying sealer; recently done by Peter Edmonds, owner of Log Restorations in Wisconsin. He thought the logs should be left exposed. Gertz said he disagreed with Peter Edmonds for a number of reasons. Gertz saw the log house in Medina. A new fabricated roof was added that was never on it before, and the logs were left exposed. It is not true to the history of that building. Dorenkemper said if the house is covered up with boards, it will look like any other house. Peterson-Benike said people in the 1890s didn't want to have a log home. Having a home with siding was preferred. Wittenberg asked why the original siding wasn't left on. Gertz replied it had to come off to do the work on the logs. Wittenberg asked why Gertz believed there weren't log buildings in this area. Gertz replied that there is a difference between a log cabin and a log house. The first generation of settlers built log buildings, but they were constructed very quickly, using round logs. The second generation built their homes with hewn logs, but would cover them with siding for social and economic status. They wouldn't want to have a house built of logs that would require annual maintenance. Dorenkemper said she had looked into this for months. This house was built around the 1860s, and property ownership went back and forth. The actual HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 16, 2002 Page 3 abstract includes the land on the opposite side of the creek, where the log house used to be. She couldn't find anything to substantiate when it was actually built. Dorenkemper said a lot of money was donated to buy back items from the house after the auction, including the old stove. Gertz said there is no reason the stove could not fit in the house again. Gertz said the house literally "speaks" to you. It has milled lumber for the flooring. The windows, doors, etc. are contemporary with a house built around 1885. The builders used hardwood from the woods nearby. Residents would be missing out on the real history of the house to leave it without siding. When interpreting the house after it is restored, he would want to show the children and other people who come to see it the broadest range of history. Bert Rogers said he had heard was that it was a log house, but no one knew when the siding was put on. Dorenkemper said she never had a picture of it as a log house. Gertz said he knows the house was re-sided after the cyclone hit, because round nails were used, so that would have been in the 1920s. There are some square nails underneath the siding. Gertz said, with regard to the summer kitchen, he believed it is an important piece of the Dorenkemper house and was likely there from the beginning, not added 20 to 40 years later. Gutters were used for water collection, and they ran around the kitchen and went into a cistern at the back. Wittenberg said she had hoped the house was a log cabin and would not have had siding. Gertz said he could understand, because he used to build log cabins. However, we owe it to the public to tell the story the way it was. The house needs a lot of work to bring it back, but it has a lot of potential. We can show children how to cook on a wood stove and how to pump water from the cistern. Dorenkemper asked why sealer is being put on the logs if it is going to be covered over. Gertz replied that needed to be done anyway. The product used is applied once and then it won't need to be done again. Dorenkemper said she held an auction and people took things out of the house, because she didn't know it was going to be saved. After Dan Herbst said he was thinking about moving it down to the lake and restoring it, she was happy to hear that. She was able to buy some items back that were sold, and the Historical Society had bought pieces of furniture at the auction. There has been a lot of publicity about the house because it was made of logs. Covering it up would be disappointing to her. Simons said the house is being preserved by siding it so that the elements won't harm it, and it will look the way it did when people were living there. She wondered if the new siding could be made to look older. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 16, 2002 Page 4 Dorenkemper said Peter Edmonds couldn't believe the house was going to be sided. Gertz replied he couldn't understand why Edmonds would want to take the historic windows out of the house, and in time the historic chinking would end up being removed. Peterson-Benike said the history of the house probably doesn't matter to him. Gertz said you can look at it two ways — as an investigative project to try to find out the true history of the house, or to make the house look a certain way that people want it to look, but is not authentic. You can make an honest mistake but you should not make a choice to go in the wrong direction. That is the most important thing to consider. This is an opportunity to interpret the history of the house to the next generation of people in Eden Prairie. Dorenkemper asked what would be done with the house after it is restored. Gertz replied that the restoration work would tell the authentic story of the house. It would be a restored homestead with a wood stove for heating and a cooking stove in the kitchen. Children and other visitors would be shown how a family lived in Eden Prairie at that time. We can explain why most log homes were covered over. There were socio-economic reasons, and this was very commonly done. Simons pointed out that it is important to have discussions like this with the Historical Society. It is important to keep this communication going and for the members to know what is going to happen to the house. Brown said she believed it was important to have this kind of meeting to hear other views so that there is an understanding, and perhaps find a way to accommodate the Historical Society. Gertz replied that we have to keep working with the Historical Society and the Parks Department. A plan is underway to put heat in the house to keep it from damage. Underground electricity and propane gas is being run to the house. There are accessibility issues also, such as how to accommodate wheelchairs. Arlene Marshall asked if ramps that are removable could be used. Gertz replied that is the type that will be used. A trail will also be built, leading to the property. On another subject, Gertz said Dunn Bros. would like to use the buffet that is in the dining room of the Cummins-Grill house at the Smith House. They would cover it with glass to protect it. They want to have one of the Eden Prairie shawls hanging out of a drawer. Marie Wittenberg said the Historical Society decided years ago that requests such as this would come before its Board of Directors. That could be done at their next meeting. Wittenberg said they are still looking for a place to put the Anderson School building on school property. They have talked about the Oak Park Middle School outlot, which would be a good location. The Lioness group and the Rotary Club are interested in the project. Northwest Technical Institute students are working on drawings for the renovation work. They should be ready to start very soon. The members of the Historical Society were thanked for coming to the meeting, after which they left. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 16, 2002 Page 5 Simons pointed out that the HPC is charged with maintaining preservation standards, and as such, are responsible for interpreting the house historically. Gertz said it is clear this is just a technical matter, because the Dorenkemper house isn't property the HPC is responsible for preserving. The City made recommendations about preservation of the house that were requested by Dan Herbst. Herbst can choose to follow the recommendations or not, and he can consider the Historical Society's opinions as well. Peterson-Benike said the HPC would likely make recommendations or decisions in the future that will be unpopular. The charge of this commission is different from that of the Historical Society. MOTION: Brown moved, seconded by Adams, that based on this evening's review and discussion, as well as the current information on historic log buildings, the HPC recommends application of horizontal wood siding to the Dorenkemper house, as seen in historic photos of the house. Motion carried 6-0. IV. REPORTS OF COMMISSION AND STAFF A. Cummins House Christmas Program Gertz said he did not attend the Christmas program but was told 80 people were there. Simons said there were reindeer-drawn sleigh rides. Crafts were laid out on the table in the dining room. In the living room there was a storyteller, Ralph Nesbitt, and people playing guitars. Brown said she thought the event was fun for the children. "Father Christmas" was there, and a "Snow Queen" telling stories. The house was decorated with poinsettias and evergreen garlands. Both children and adults served Christmas cookies. The women, who were City employees, wore historic dresses of the era. There were some books about the history of Eden Prairie, although she didn't see any brochures describing the house that people could take with them. The event was highlighted on the front page of the local newspaper, so it had good publicity. B. Reprinting of"Eden Prairie: The First 100 Years" Gertz reported that Dan Herbst is proposing to reprint the above book in an attractive format; and will have a brown cover with gold lettering. There will be 700-750 copies printed. Herbst plans to sell them to all new homebuyers in the Hennepin Village development for $15 each. They will cost$8 each to print, and the difference of$7 will be donated to the historic preservation fund. Gertz could not find the original, unbound proofs of the book. Viking Press printed the book in 1979. Adams said the book could be digitally scanned and reproduced without the need for making new plates. Gertz suggested that Helen Anderson might be interested in doing an updated forward to the book. Adams said there are so many references to buildings that no longer exist, and an update would be appreciated. The book would be interesting for new residents to have. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 16, 2002 Page 6 MOTION: Adams moved, seconded by Kist, that the Heritage Preservation Commission support Dan Herbst's proposal to reprint "Eden Prairie: The First 100 Years." Motion carried 6-0. C. Annual Department of the Interior Government Performance and Results Act Report Gertz explained that the Annual Report is sent to all Certified Local Governments. The City is required to submit a form listing what CLG grants it received and what it did with the grant funds. This has been required for the last five years and is a way for the Department of the Interior to measure results of the preservation funds designated for CLG grants. V. OLD BUSINESS A. Follow-Up Points • Pleasant Hill Cemetery CLG grant proposal draft. • Second Cost Estimate on Log Restoration Work for Staring Lake Outdoor Center • Dunn Bros. Opening • Fencing for Patio Area at Smith House • Barn Preservation Conference B. CLG Grant—Pleasant Hill Cemetery Gertz said he contacted the State Heritage Preservation Office and told them what the HPC proposes to do at Pleasant Hill Cemetery and was told that it sounded very interesting. He received the grant packet in the mail recently. The pre- application is due by January 17 and the final by February 21. He will show the HPC members the draft of the grant proposal at the next meeting. Gertz spoke to one of the Board members of the Eden Prairie Cemetery and told him about the proposal for doing research on Pleasant Hill Cemetery. It would make sense to do both cemeteries. The cost would be $4,000 to $5,000 to do both proposals. Kist asked if the funds could be used to put up a gate at the entrance. Gertz replied the funds cannot be used to buy a fence and gate, but the report and guidelines that come out of this would recommend a particular style of fence. The money would be used for background research on the cemetery. Headstones would be photographed and maintenance guidelines provided. Better records' management would be put in place for Pleasant Hill, now in disarray. It is a way to bring all the information together in an organized format. C. Cost Estimate on Loy Restoration Work for Staring Lake Outdoor Center Gertz asked Peter Edmonds to provide an estimate for the work needed at Staring Lake Outdoor Center. He recommended trimming the ends of the logs and ridge HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 16, 2002 Page 7 poles so they are inside the drip-line of the roof, clean and refinish the logs, and paint all windows and doors. He gave an estimate of $14,000 to do the work. The estimate is only good until this spring. Gertz has arranged for the owner of Terrasol in St. Peter to stop by and provide another estimate. He will give that information to the Parks Department. If the budget is approved, the work would be done next summer. Peterson-Benike said if the Staring Lake Outdoor Center is designated a Heritage Preservation Site this winter, the HPC will see that the work is done in the proper way. Gertz said it might be eligible for National Register status also, even though it has been moved from its original location. This building would not have survived if it had not been moved. It may be the last building remaining from those state relief camps. D. Dunn Bros. Coffee Opening Plans Gertz said he didn't have a definite date for the opening. There are problems with engineering the flue for the roaster. There is still wallpapering to do, but the painting has been done. The outdoor sign has been delivered and equipment will be installed beginning December 17. VI. NEW BUSINESS A. Code-Required Fencing for Patio Area at Smith House Gertz explained City code requires fencing for the patio area if drinks are taken or served outdoors on the patio. This is unfortunate because of the work put into the landscaping plan, and it might obscure that part of the house from view. The fence has to be 42 inches high, according to City code. The code is not specific about the type of fence. It deals with containment and providing barriers. Gertz said he would talk to the zoning officials to find out more. Dunn Brothers is responsible for where drinks are served. They may decide not to let people go out on the patio, but if they do all the alternatives will be looked into. Gertz said the architects have been asked to work on the problem. They will come up with some solutions and the HPC will review them. Peterson-Benike said some places put up signs that say "No alcoholic beverages beyond this point." Adams said other places have a barrier that defines the area where drinks are served. Gertz asked the members to think about other possibilities. By spring a plan will have to be in place. B. Eden Prairie News Article Adams wrote an article for the Eden Prairie News about the City's heritage preservation efforts, which was recently published. She was congratulated by HPC members for this excellent article. HERITAGE PRESERVATION COMMISSION MINUTES December 16, 2002 Page 8 C. State Capitol Centennial Gertz said he received an article put out by the Minnesota Historical Society on "History and Art of the Minnesota State Capitol" for the State Capitol Centennial, which will be celebrated in 2005. D. Barn Preservation Conference Peterson-Benike said for the past three years the Barn Preservation Conference has been held in April. She did not have information on a date for this year. If the restoration of the Riley barn were at a point where the HPC has good information to share, it would be worthwhile to be a part of that conference. VII. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Kist moved, seconded by Brown, to adjourn the meeting. Peterson-Benike adjourned the meeting at 9:03 p.m.