Category Archives: Announcements

Announcements, Newsletter

News Between Newsletters: Jan 1, 2023

We regret to pass along the news that MLM’s Special Events Coordinator Bill Rissmann has passed following a lengthy battle with health issues. Bill gladly took on the challenge of coordinating shore operations for MLM’s Special Events (the art fairs, James J. Hill Days, etc.). Bill created our color-coded $5 tickets to speed passenger loading and managed MLM’s ticket booth. Bill’s can-do attitude and deep support for Minnehaha will be fondly remembered and sorely missed!

Bill’s service will be held Tuesday, January 3rd (details can be accessed by clicking the link below). The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations to help end liver cancer be directed to the American Cancer Society at raiseyourway.donordrive.com/campaign/BillRissmann.

CHANGE Notice: January MLM Board Meeting

Due to the winter storm forecasted for Tuesday, January 3 rd, MLM’s January Board Meeting will NOT be held in-person at the Wayzata Library. Instead, the meeting will be held virtually:
Google Meet Video call link for MLM Board Meeting:


6:00 – 7:00pm https://meet.google.com/ttr-rhkz-dyy

Should the meeting last longer than 60 minutes, a second link will need to be used:
7:00 – 8:00pm https://meet.google.com/pqc-thyt-hjg

Announcements, Newsletter

MLM Newsletter – Bob Woodburn

BOB WOODBURN

We regret to pass along the news that MLM Hall of Fame member Bob Woodburn passed on April 10th. Bob served as an original board member of the Steamboat Division of the Minnesota Transportation Museum in 1990 and as Secretary until 1996. Bob was actively involved in many aspects of Minnehaha’s restoration – most notably the electrical and mechanical systems. Bob’s work didn’t stop there – he worked on the ribs, planking, and keel/keelson. He was also deeply involved in the engine/boiler/stack and other mechanical projects. Bob oversaw materials acquisition and managed design approval. Simply put, Bob was integral in every aspect of the boat’s restoration. Bob’s service continued through the years following the restoration and his passionate support of Minnehaha never wavered. He was elected into MLM’s Hall of Fame in 2019.

The Board of Directors extends its sincere condolences to the Woodburn family and salutes Bob for all his contributions to the restoration and operation of Minnehaha. His support and encouragement will be greatly missed.

The family plans to announce memorial arrangements at a later date.

Published by THE MUSEUM OF LAKE MINNETONKA
…a nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation
P.O. Box 178 | Excelsior, MN 55331
mail@steamboatminnehaha.org
(952) 474-2115 (voice messages only)

Announcements

Steamboat Minnehaha Added to National Register of Historic Places, Seeks New Launch Site

Steamboat Minnehaha on Lake Minnetonka in 2014.

The streetcar steamboat Minnehaha, a longtime icon of the Lake Minnetonka community, was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places on Friday, October 29. Administered by the National Park Service, the National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the nation’s historic places worthy of preservation.

“Minnehaha’s listing in the National Register opens up grant opportunities to preserve the boat and gives her the recognition she deserves,” said Tom McCarthy, president of the Museum of Lake Minnetonka, the organization that owns, maintains and operates the vessel.

In 2019, Minnehaha lost access to the ramp where she was launched and hauled out of the water each spring and fall, restricting her ability to be on the lake until a new ramp becomes available. Minnehaha is currently housed in a heated storage facility in Excelsior. Volunteers continue to maintain the vessel on a weekly basis, keeping her ship-shape for her eventual return to Lake Minnetonka.

“The MLM remains committed to returning Minnehaha to the waters of Lake Minnetonka,” said McCarthy, adding that the organization has a newly reconstituted leadership team in place. “While no property on Lake Minnetonka meeting Minnehaha’s unique launch requirements is currently available, we welcome any opportunity to work with public or private partners to secure a site for Minnehaha’s new launch ramp and winter home – both of which will be crucial to getting her back in the water since Minnehaha must be stored indoors during the winter.”

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Announcements, Newsletter

An Update On Minnehaha’s Status

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Minnehaha
(Photo courtesy of Jeff Bipes)

Earlier this year, the MLM received notice that Minnehaha will no longer be granted access to the privately-owned launch site at 600 West Lake Street, Shorewood after December 31, 2019. The launch site is only used twice a year, once in the spring and once in the fall, for the sole purpose of launching and hauling Minnehaha in and out of the water. Since this is a critical component of Minnehaha’s operation, a new launch site is needed.

Minnehaha is typically launched in the water in May and hauled out in October. While in the water, she is stored at a leased dock slip on Excelsior Bay (687 Excelsior Boulevard, Excelsior). The MLM is guaranteed to keep this slip through 2023.

During the winter months, Minnehaha needs to be stored indoors so that she can be properly preserved and rehabilitated. Minnehaha is currently stored in a large pole barn structure at 140 George Street, Excelsior. This structure is owned by the MLM but sits on land owned by the Hennepin County Regional Railroad Authority.

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