Home of the National Eagle Center has a new moniker
Wabasha, MN – Long home to the National Eagle Center and winter Bald Eagle viewing, the city of Wabasha, MN can now be called by a new name. At its November 8 meeting, the Wabasha City Council unanimously approved a resolution designating it “The Eagle Capital of America.”
The resolution was proposed by Preston Cook, Wabasha resident, Center benefactor and collector of the world-class American Eagle Collection, on exhibit at the Center.
“I am overwhelmed by Wabasha’s civic, business, community and veterans organizations support for the new City motto, ‘Eagle Capital of America”, said Cook. “Every group unanimously supported and embraced the eagle, showing support for the contributions to Wabasha of the National Eagle Center. I also thank Mayor Emily Durand and the entire City Council for their support, embrace, and adoption of the resolution.”
“I am overwhelmed by Wabasha’s civic, business, community and veterans organizations support for the new City motto, ‘Eagle Capital of America”, said Cook. “Every group unanimously supported and embraced the eagle, showing support for the contributions to Wabasha of the National Eagle Center. I also thank Mayor Emily Durand and the entire City Council for their support, embrace, and adoption of the resolution.”
The National Eagle Center was established as EagleWatch in 1989 because Wabasha is a hotspot for Bald Eagle viewing for decades, and was even during the height of their endangerment during the latter half of the twentieth century. Due to the unique features of the Mississippi River just south of Lake Pepin, it maintains open water during the winter months attracting hundreds of migratory Bald Eagles each year and bringing tourists and eagle watchers.
“People often ask us why the National Eagle Center is located in Wabasha, Minnesota of all places,” said Ed Hahn, Director of Marketing and Communications at the Center. “It’s no accident – it sits in the heart of eagle territory, especially during the winter.”
The resolution adopted by the council begins with a recognition of “the importance of our geographic location on the Mississippi River as an important feeding, flyway and nesting area for eagles.”
“City Council was pleased to unanimously approve the motto ‘Eagle Capital of America,’” said Wabasha Mayor Emily Durand. “I was so glad to see the outpouring of support from local civic and service organizations. This will be added to City of Wabasha communications in the coming months, and we are very grateful to Preston Cook for the work he did engaging the public in this effort.”
“City Council was pleased to unanimously approve the motto ‘Eagle Capital of America,’” said Wabasha Mayor Emily Durand. “I was so glad to see the outpouring of support from local civic and service organizations. This will be added to City of Wabasha communications in the coming months, and we are very grateful to Preston Cook for the work he did engaging the public in this effort.”
The motto isn’t entirely new to Wabasha – the city’s police department has featured the phrase “Eagle Capital of the U.S.A.” on its patches for over 20 years, and the Wabasha Ambulance Service patches also don the phrase.
The new motto is intended to enhance the commercial identity of Wabasha as well as contribute to the community’s civic pride.
The National Eagle Center is a world-class museum located in Wabasha, MN. It is the world’s premier resource for impactful eagle education and experiences and offers wild eagle viewing, up-close eagle experiences, daily programs, and the Preston Cook American Eagle Collection. For more information about the National Eagle Center, visit nationaleaglecenter.org or call 651.565.4989. The National Eagle Center is an equal opportunity provider.