Eagle Scout Adds to Robbin Gallery’s Historic Building

A historic building in Robbinsdale, home to Robbin Gallery, has a new addition thanks to one Eagle Scout.

As a child, Caleb Niesen and his family embraced the arts in Robbinsdale and wanted to leave a lasting mark inside the historic building.

So Caleb set out to design an intricate bookcase and teach others how to build it as part of a final Eagle Scout project. He said the unique design on the bottom of the book shelf was meant “to express the artsiness and history that makes this building special.” He even matched the wood trim to what’s inside the historic building, which was once a library.

“I was proud that I was able to teach others because the point of an Eagle Scout project is to use the EDGE method,” said Niesen.

EDGE stands for explain, demonstrate, guide and enable.

“I was able to incorporate Scouting friends, parents, tennis friends and able to teach woodworking skills and life skills on just how to build stuff and succeed,” he said.

Book shelf designed by Caleb Niesen includes intricate design on bottom.

Caleb and his family now live in Rochester, but celebrating the arts in Robbinsdale from his childhood always stuck with Caleb. His mother said 13 years of Boy Scouts led to this final project.

“I cannot explain how amazing the end product was, but really it was the journey,” said Melissa Niesen, Caleb’s mother. “It’s great that he’s in this historic space that was really special to him when he was little and that so many people will be able to enjoy his contribution to the building. It’s really awesome.”

The Robbin Gallery is open Friday through Sunday and by appointment.

Robbinsdale