ECM History
Engineer’s Club of Minneapolis – History
The Engineer’s Club of Minneapolis (ECM) held their first meeting on May 4, 1883 at the “Board of Trade Room” in the old City Hall. Invited were 3o engineers in Minneapolis whose addresses could be found. To be discussed was how the local engineering community could show engineers coming to the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) national convention held in Minneapolis in June, could show the visitors “such engineering works as would be of interest” to quote from the minutes of the next meeting on May 11, 1883. Sixteen men made the May 4th meeting and having disposed of the matter of assisting the ASCE, they discussed somewhat fully, the subject of forming a local engineer’s club and immediately elected a President, but was reminded that no organization had yet been formed. A committee was charged with writing a Constitution to be presented at the next meeting.
On May 11, 1883, this constitution was adopted article by article and then as a whole and The Engineer’s Club of Minneapolis was formed. A week later the By-Laws were adopted and election held making Andrew Rinker, President, William de la Barre, Vice President, William A. Pike, Secretary and Treasurer and George O. Foss, Librarian.
ECM has met continuously since, having completed year 135 in 2018.
Historical Collections
Much of the rich history and membership of ECM is located in the Special Minneapolis Collections of the Hennepin County Library in downtown Minneapolis. This collection was established in 1940 by the Minneapolis Public Library Board. It contains both historic and current materials relating to the City of Minneapolis. Included are monographs, newspapers, periodicals, periodic indexes, city directories, telephone books, biographical materials, papers of clubs and organizations, maps, photographs, postcards, playbills, yearbooks, restaurant menus and much more.
ECM donated much of its archived material to the Collection. The history from 1883 – 1902 was mostly compiled by Elbert Nexsen, Secretary from 1893 – 1902. Also included are financials for many years from the Treasurer’s reports, Board of Director’s meetings from 1946 – 1968, Newsletters, ECM rosters from 1957 – 2004 as well as other historical materials.