Minnesota Centennial Showboat - History of The Minnesota Centennial Showboat

History of The Minnesota Centennial Showboat

The University Theatre had been thinking of purchasing a showboat for sometime, but the cost and unavailability of suitable boats prevented it from continuing the Mississippi tradition of entertainment on the river. In 1956, with the 100th Anniversary of Minnesota statehood fast approaching,University Theatre Director Frank M. Whiting judged a Miss Minnesota pageant with Tom Swain, Executive Director of the Minnesota Statehood Centennial Commission. The two discussed the idea, and both agreed a showboat would be a fitting addition to the Centennial festivities.

• 1899 The General John Newton, a 175-foot (53 m)-long paddlewheeler, is commissioned. Over the years, it is used as a maritime courthouse and is visited by at least four U.S. presidents.

• 1958 The boat is purchased by the University of Minnesota for $1 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. In celebration of the state's centennial, the General John Newton is renamed and transformed into the Minnesota Centennial Showboat.

• 1993 In need of major repairs, the Showboat closes with Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap.

• 1994-1999 All energies are put toward the capital campaign and renovation of the Showboat. Captain Bill Bowell of Padelford Packet Boat Company indicates interest in the project, while Saint Paul Mayor Norm Coleman announces plans for Showboat's permanent home at Harriet Island Regional Park.

• Jan. 27, 2000 Fire, set by an errant welding spark, destroys the original Centennial Showboat.

• Dec. 8, 2000 University of Minnesota's Board of Regents approve partnership between the College of Liberal Arts, the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance, and the Padelford Packet Boat Company to build a brand new showboat.

• March 2001 Construction of the new showboat begins in Greenville, Mississippi.

• April 17, 2002 The Minnesota Centennial Showboat arrives at its new docking site at Harriet Island Regional Park. Hundreds are there to welcome its triumphant return.

• July 4, 2002 The new Showboat, named the Frank Whiting, opens Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde.

• June 2003 Dracula, directed by Charles Nolte, opens to sold-out houses.

• April 2004 The Minnesota Centennial Showboat wins the "Tourism Partner of the Year" award from the St.Paul Convention and Visitors Bureau.

• June 2004 Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap returns to the Showboat

• August 2004 A joint scholarship formed between the Padelford Company and the Department of Theatre Arts and Dance awards its first recipients.

• January 2005 Minnesota Meetings and Events magazine names the U of M Showboat Players "Best Entertainment" and the Minnesota Centennial Showboat "Most Unique Venue"

• June 2005 Directed by alum Jon Cranney, The Importance of Being Earnest opens June 17.

• June 2006 Directed by alum Vern Sutton, Forty-Five Minutes From Broadway opened June 16.

• June 2007 Directed by Stephen Kanee, Sherlock's Last Case opens June 15.