Wednesday, October 16, 2013

Minnesota Centennial Showboat History



The original Minnesota Centennial Showboat, shown on these postcards, was operated by the University Theater on the Mississippi River during the summer. It was based on the river adjacent to the University's Minneapolis campus. Cast members were students at the University of Minnesota.


The showboat postcards often had performance schedules printed on the back. This is one with the 1962 schedule. That year, there were two plays, Rip Van Winkle and Merry Wives of Windsor. Performances were mainly in Minneapolis, but also included some in St. Paul. In other years, performances also took place at other river towns such as Red Wing, Winona, and Stillwater.


The postcard below shows an interior scene with the 1961 Bloomer Girl production.



The Minnesota Centennial Showboat was originally a 175-foot (53 m)-long paddlewheeler, the General John Newton, commissioned in 1899. In 1958, the Minnesota State Centennial year,  the boat was purchased by the University of Minnesota for $1 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. It was renamed and transformed into the Minnesota Centennial Showboat. The Showboat closed for major repairs in 1993. In 2000, it was destroyed by a fire caused by an errant welding spark.

In 2001 construction of a new showboat began. In  2002 the new Minnesota Centennial Showboat arrived at its new docking site at Harriet Island across from downtown St. Paul in April. It opened with a play on July 4.

This video is the Minnesota Centennial Showboat 50th Anniversary Documentary.




for More Vintage Images


18 comments:

  1. The University of Minnesota knows how to get a good deal! Love those post cards.

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  2. A great set of images and that first one in particular was so bright, cherry and uplifting, especially viewing it on a grey, dreich, cold day here in Scotland. .

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    1. Interestingly, I have another version of the first postcard that has duller colors, no clouds in the sky, and is the same photo printed as a mirror image.

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  3. Very interesting. Did you see Jim Parson on WDYTYA? His family had some connection to one of the riverboats, I recall.

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  4. Really Evocative Images! I Love The Colour Tones!

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  5. I like the second one best, with the little family in the foreground watching the arrivals. Lovely colours.

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  6. It's a pity the old boat burned down. It looks like fun to make a trip one day!

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  7. The showboat was such an important part of American culture, but because no one travels by river anymore, they have disappeared. I'm glad that the University of Minnesota has replaced the first showboat, but it doesn't sound like it travels much on the river.

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  8. I hadn't realised that the boats were so big.

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  9. Thanks for a really interesting post. Stories of the American paddle steamers and life on the river have always fascinated me.

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  10. This really hit home, one of the Mississippi cruising river boats has been docked here at La Crosse all week, right now as I type I do not recall the name. Have been on some paddle wheelers for tours and watched them on the river but never have seen a show boat. Brilliant colors. Great post as always

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  11. Showboats. What fun! Wish our rivers were big enough (and calm enough) to support one. Unfortunately our rivers up here in the mountains are the 'wild' sort - good for rafting. Oh well. Sure would be a kick doing a show on a riverboat, though!

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  12. It was wonderful idea, taking the theatre to the peole in this way. And of the course the most enjoyable stage show and movie "Showboat"

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  13. We do it right in Minnesota that's for sure! Great post cards!

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  14. We do it right in Minnesota. Great postcards.

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  15. Makes me wonder: when will I ever get to see Merry Wives of Windor....

    Hazel

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  16. I hope there were some gamblers aboard the boat to liven things up at the tables. I can easily imagine Maverick aboard the boat.

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