Encyclopedia Dubuque
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Affiliated with the Local History Network of the State Historical Society of Iowa, and the Iowa Museum Association.
HAGERTY, Duane P.
HAGERTY, Duane P. (Dubuque, IA, June 5, 1966--Dubuque, IA, Dec. 28, 2024) Duane was born to Patrick and Judith (Kronlage) Hagerty. Raised on his family’s farm near Bankston, Duane attended Farley-Bankston Catholic School before continuing his education at Western Dubuque High School, where he graduated with the Class of 1984.
Duane continued his education at the University of Northern Iowa. He earned a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, magna cum laude, in 1988. He then attended the University of Minnesota Law School, where he earned his Juris Doctor, cum laude, in 1991. Afterward, he practiced real estate law in Des Moines and Chicago. (1)
In 2010, Duane chose to follow his passion for history and architecture and changed his career focus to historic property redevelopment. He earned a Master of Science in Historic Preservation from the School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Following his graduation, he worked as a consultant in the field of historic preservation with Hagerty Heritage Planning, a historic preservation firm located in Chicago, Illinois. He became actively involved in Dubuque architecture with work redeveloping the St. Mary's parish. (2) Since 2015, he was the President and CEO of Heritage Works, a nonprofit preservation organization based in Dubuque.
Duane's background in law and his drive for historic preservation left a profound impact benefiting the entire Tri-State area. Duane helped to save such landmarks as STEEPLE SQUARE, ST. RAPHAEL'S CATHEDRAL, and the UNITARIAN UNIVERSALIST CHURCH. (3) The potential of losing FIRST CONGREGATIONAL UNITED CHURCH OF CHRIST due to structural decay was becoming a reality until engineers envisioned a remedy. Work on the building then discovered a failing floor in the sanctuary. Hagerty's legal knowledge of funding sources allowed both disasters to be remedied. The congregation was forced to leave their church for other sites for several years, but returned to a completed renovation in 2024. (4)
Led by Hagerty, Heritage Works inspired others to recognize their architectural heritage. In October 2015 buoyed by the presence of a king's ransom of stained glass in Dubuque, he organized and led a tour of stained glass belonging to local churches. In an article published at the time he remarked that the aim of Heritage Works was to educate residents about Dubuque's historic resources and assist in preservation of those resources. He believed that historic preservation was a revitalization was a tool for economic development. Heritage Works had officially begun its work in June, 2015 with a presentation of architectural designs used by Alfred CALDWELL in EAGLE POINT PARK. (5)
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Source:
1.
2. "Evening Architecture Presentation," Telegraph Herald, March 30, 2014, p. 9
3.
4. Lyon, Randolph W., member of the congregation at First Congregational United Church of Christ
5. Frenzel, Anthony, "History and Heritage," Telegraph Herald, October 17, 2015, p. 12
"Duane P. Hagerty," Dubuque Today, Online. [[Category: Lawyers and Judges]