It would have been nice if the Minnehaha had come with an instruction manual, but it didn't. This presented a problem since none of the people who had volunteered to work on the project had ever rebuilt an old steamboat. They needed guidance. So a marine architect was consulted. He measured the hull, studied old photographs and learned everything he could about Lake Minnetonka's streetcar boats. Then he went to the drawing board and produced a set of working drawings that would serve as the blueprints for the resurrected Minnehaha.

The volunteers rolled up their sleeves and set out to work.

First came the removal of the solid, oak ribs that had rotted during ten years of exposure to the elements. These were replaced with new ribs of laminated oak. Then the volunteers moved on to their next tasks. Stem and stern timbers were rebuilt. A new keel and keelson were installed. Bilge timbers, deck supports and cypress hull planks were replaced as needed. Slowly but surely, the hull of the Minnehaha began to look like it's old self.

Eventually work began on the main cabin with it's 42 sliding glass windows. A crane gently lifted twelve tons of engine and boiler into place. Then came the upper deck. Steamfitters, electricians, and engineers began the task of bringing the propulsion and navigation systems to life. Thirteen newly varnished and restored benches were bolted in place. An iron pipe handrail encircled the upper deck. Original split cane seats were recovered and secured in the main cabin. Painters added finishing touches of varnish and streetcar yellow paint.

After nearly six years of restoration work, the resurrected Minnehaha was ready to return to Lake Minnetonka. On May 25th 1996, thousands of people flocked to the lake to cheer on the reborn Minnehaha as it set off on its inaugural voyage from Excelsior to Wayzata.



What had started as an impossible dream was now a reality!