September 20, 2002

U. of Minnesota Helps Bring Back a Showboat

A public-private partnership that includes the University of Minnesota has brought a 44-year-old tradition back to downtown St. Paul -- a 209-seat, floating theater.

The Minnesota Centennial Showboat once again floats on the Mississippi River, largely because of the Padelford Packet Boat Company, a local manufacturer that agreed to build the vessel from scratch after the original boat was destroyed by fire during renovation efforts.

The showboat, which features university