Historic Gym hosts centennial Citywide Prom

As Eden Prairie prepares for its Citywide Prom on Saturday, May 18, the Historic Gym at 8100 School Road is getting a nostalgic makeover, both inside and out. Historical photos capturing moments spanning a century now adorn the gym’s exterior windows, transforming them into portals to the past.

The building housing the gymnasium, which opened as a consolidated school in 1924, will host an evening filled with remembrance and celebration.

Kathie Case, president of the Eden Prairie Historical Society, stood outside the gym, reflecting on the unique decorations. “The windows are just for this occasion,” she noted. “When you’re in the gym, you can see out, but you can’t see in. They chose pictures that they thought represented the building well.”

Various aspects of school life are captured in the displayed photos, including students at desks in a classroom and the school band posed outside the building holding their instruments. One particularly poignant image features Albert Picha, Oliver Anderson, and Arthur Watkins – three members of Eden Prairie’s first basketball team – wearing tank tops.

“That’s Al Picha on the left, with his hair parted down the middle,” Case said fondly. “He invented the first EP logo in 1929 and was a basketball star. He lived into his 90s, married Abbie Tuckey, and always said this gym was amazing compared to all the other schools.”

The historic gym will also feature specially decorated interiors for the night, including historical displays. The finishing touches inside include a large photo mural on the back wall of the gym.

Case suggested the idea after seeing similar murals at the Eden Prairie High School Activities Center. The school’s fight song will also be featured on another wall.

“I noticed big collages on the wall showcasing all the sports played there,” Case said. “I met with them later and suggested, ‘What if you created a wall in the old gym with old pictures and memorabilia?’ And they’re actually doing it! They are even building trophy cases. It’s unbelievable.”

A night of historical significance and community spirit

The Citywide Prom, themed “100 Years of Inspiring Each,” celebrates the legacy of Eden Prairie Schools from 6:30 to 10 p.m. on Saturday.

The evening will feature live music from local band Wondercure, historical exhibits, a speech by retired Minnesota Supreme Court Justice Paul Anderson, a native of Eden Prairie, and the crowning of prom royalty.

Tickets are on sale for the 21-and-over event, which will commemorate the past 100 years of Eden Prairie Schools and raise funds for the Historic Gym. Organizers note that the fundraising efforts are intended to set the stage for the future of this “iconic community space.”

Eden Prairie Schools is hosting the event in partnership with the Historical Society and the Restore the Gym Task Force.

“I can’t tell you how excited we’ve been as a historical society that the school district is really taking this on and celebrating the 100th anniversary,” Case said.

Attendees are encouraged to dress in a style that reflects their personal connection to prom traditions, whether it’s formalwear, decade-themed outfits, or casual comfort.

“You can wear anything you want – it’s your prom night,” Case said. “Whether it’s something similar to what you wore to prom, a completely different era’s attire, or just jeans and a sweatshirt, just come and enjoy.”

SouthWest Transit’s trolley will provide round-trip shuttle service between the main parking site at City Center, 8080 Mitchell Road, and the gym throughout the event. Parking near the gym will also be available; those parking there will be shuttled to the event on golf carts.

Molly Malone, director of adult and community engagement programs at Eden Prairie Schools Community Education, said about 200 people are expected at the event. However, Case said Tuesday the number will be more like 250.

“When you sign up, you get to say who you would like to be crowned king and queen,” Case added. “Then you get to choose some songs that you’d like to hear. There’ll be a photo opportunity at a photo booth. And we’re going to have the Eagle mascot here.”

Malone said local businesses and organizations – Royal Credit Union, SouthWest Transit, Bachman’s, Arctic Wolf, Nothing Bundt Cakes, Veridian Credit Union, and the Foundation for Eden Prairie Schools (FEPS) – have stepped up to support the event.

“We’d like to thank our sponsors, from the food providers to the designers who decorated the windows,” she said. “SouthWest Transit is donating the use of their trolley.”

Historical significance

Case said the Historical Society is bringing various items to be displayed at the event, including a cheerleading uniform, vintage prom dresses, yearbooks, photos, and a drumhead featured in one of the window photos and in an Eden Prairie Local News story.

Also on display will be a table gifted to the Historical Society by the family of Harry Rogers. The table was originally in the library when the Consolidated School, which included the Historic Gym, first opened in 1924. It eventually ended up in a garage and was brought home after the garage needed space for another bus.

“It wasn’t just any school library (then); it was part of the Hennepin Library system,” Case said.

The Historical Society has been digging through its archives to get ready for the CityWide Prom. Some of what they’ve found, along with other items posted by members, can be seen on its Eden Prairie Remembers Facebook page.

Reflecting on the past

While standing near the bleachers as young children frolicked on the floor, Case reflected on the gym’s early days. Construction on the Consolidated School District 41 began in 1922, and the school was dedicated on April 25, 1924. The school replaced four rural schools in Eden Prairie.

“Back then, all the town hall meetings were held here,” she said. “Every Friday night, they had movie night with blackout curtains, showing movies and serving popcorn. On Tuesdays, women came here to iron because there were outlets to use, as they didn’t have electricity at home. Imagine it’s 1924; you come to the school, and then you return to your farmhouse without modern conveniences – no toilet, running water, electricity, or even a drinking fountain. So, coming here was amazing.”

Case noted that few school districts still have their consolidated school standing. “Many of them were torn down,” she said. “It’s great to still have ours, actively used and cherished, especially with the gym still in place and in use.”

Malone added that the district uses the gym mostly for preschool and Early Childhood Family Education (ECFE). The adult enrichment program also offers classes like tai chi and yoga there.

Case envisions more community uses for it. She would like to organize a fundraiser one day featuring a community basketball game, with one team playing another and wearing 1960s-style shorts and high socks.

“We don’t have the uniforms yet, but it would be fun to do something like that,” said Case, who also suggested Eden Prairie Players performing a play there or hosting another movie night.

Case was a member of the 1999 Save the Gym Task Force, formed after hearing the district planned to convert the gym into classrooms. Members went to the school board to share how much the gym meant to the district and the community. Saving the gym was helped by the fact that the old bleachers were still behind a wall that had been put up to create a band room in the 1960s.

“A lot has happened here,” Case said. “My two boys even graduated from that stage when they were in kindergarten. I appreciate that all the kids in Eden Prairie started their education in this old school. It’s undergone numerous changes over the years and may change again, but it’s still here.”

Case also highlighted the influence of Jerry McCoy, the district’s superintendent in 1980, who opted to preserve the building and repurpose it as the administrative building.

“When he became superintendent in 1980, he had a choice to tear it down or keep it, and he decided to keep it and make it the admin building,” Case said. “He really loved and cared about it. Another good decision of his was having just one high school so we weren’t rivals with each other.”

Malone, a longtime Eden Prairie resident, graduated in the Class of 2003. She and her brother both work for the school district.

“We’ve been part of this district for 40 years, from our time in the ECFE program as kids to our roles as adults,” she said. “Considering the district’s 100-year history, it’s humbling to think we’ve been part of nearly half of it.”

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Tickets for the Citywide Prom are available through the Community Education portal, and there are multiple price options for attendees to make a donation upon registering for the event.

Ticket options include regular event entry or a VIE (Very Important Eagle) Tent access ticket, which includes early access to the event, access to purchase beer and wine provided by the Eden Prairie Lions Club, premium appetizers and sweets, plus a commemorative gift.

Family Fun Night will be on Friday

Although the Citywide Prom is for the 21-plus crowd, all community members are invited to a Family Fun Day celebration on Friday, May 17, from 5 to 7 p.m. at 8100 School Road. This event continues the annual Friday Fun Day tradition.

Attendees can preview recent updates to the Historic Gym and get a sneak peek at the prom decor. The event will also feature historical displays, a presentation by the Eden Prairie Historical Society, a vehicle fair, and a resource fair.

Food trucks will be on-site, and there will be hands-on activities such as face painting and arts and crafts, a book fair, and access to the playground.