How You Can Play a Part in Preserving Lake Minnetonka's History

The Museum of Lake Minnetonka announced today the start of their annual membership drive. With four different membership levels for individuals and businesses, as well as more than seven levels of sponsorship, this year’s membership drive provides opportunities for all of the Minnehaha’s riders, fans and supporters to get involved in the upcoming cruise season.

Regardless of membership or sponsorship level, all active museum members are invited to the upcoming Annual Members Meeting, scheduled for 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 21, at the Southshore Community Center in Shorewood. A tentative agenda includes covering the museum’s current initiatives, review of the previous season, plans for the future and a meet and greet session for the Minnehaha’s supporters.

“The Minnehaha needs a more permanent home with access to the lake that is better than we have today," Museum President Jim Murphy said. "We continue to remain optimistic that work we have continued to do with private parties will be fruitful in 2013. We have tried to work with the City of Wayzata, the City of Excelsior and several private parties to find a location that better suits our needs for the future. Although those discussions have not been productive so far, we remain optimistic. What we still know is we must be able to bring significant financial resources to any further negotiations.”

To achieve its membership goals, as in previous years the Museum of Lake Minnetonka provides both membership and sponsorship opportunities for local individuals and companies. Membership levels include:

· Active Volunteer: This $20 membership level is available to individuals who actively serve the Minnehaha in any capacity for at least 20 hours.

· Individual: Open to any interested party, this $40 membership level includes two tickets for any cruise.

· Family: At the $60 level, this membership includes three complimentary tickets for any cruise.

· Team Member: Available to businesses and organizations of any size, this $100 membership level provides businesses with four complimentary cruise tickets.

Additionally, individuals, groups, and companies alike are welcome to sponsor the Minnehaha in her upcoming 2013 season. Sponsorship levels include:

· Lieutenant: With a $100 gift, Lieutenant level sponsors receive four tickets and a commemorative Minnehaha historical booklet, published by the museum in 1996 during her initial cruise season which outlines the Minnehaha’s glorious past, present and future.

· Commander: At the $250 level, donors receive eight complimentary tickets for any cruise on the Minnehaha and two Minnehaha coffee mugs.

· Captain: Sponsors who contribute $500 at the Captain level receive 10 Minnehaha cruise tickets, as well as a limited edition Minnehaha painting print, created by local artist andMinnehaha supporter Kurt Carlson.

· Admiral’s Club: With their $1,000 gift to the museum, Admiral’s level donors receive a private charter cruise for up to 75 guests.

· President’s Club: At the $2,500 level, Presidents Club sponsors will receive two lifetime passes for unlimited cruises on the Minnehaha, plus a framed limited edition Minnehaha print painting by Kurt Carlson.

The Museum of Lake Minnetonka also offers two special sponsorship options for corporations and donors:

· Corporate Sponsor: Available to businesses or companies at the $1,000 level, Corporate Sponsors receive 25 tickets for any Minnehaha cruise and an engraved plaque to display in their business.

· History Cruise Sponsor: For $750, corporate or individual sponsors can provide a special history cruise for local school children to on the Minnehaha.

The Minnehaha is owned and operated by the Museum of Lake Minnetonka, a non-profit and completely volunteer staffed organization based in Excelsior. From its weekend boat crews, mechanics, to administrative staff volunteers support all aspects of the operation of theMinnehaha and the museum. Museum memberships and donations provide needed financial resources for capital improvements and overhead costs.

After a successful 2012 summer season, the Minnehaha was towed out of the lake and will spend the winter being refurbished and prepared for her summer cruise season. Every Saturday morning, the boat barn is filled with a dedicated team of volunteers who work on a variety of mechanical and maintenance projects for the boat.

Although the Minnehaha is in the barn for the winter, the Museum of Lake Minnetonka plans to be in attendance at the Minneapolis Boat Show, and this year’s Hands On Twin Cities Volunteer Expo at the Mall of America.

About the Museum of Lake Minnetonka

Founded in 1990 as the “Steamboat Division” of the Minnesota Transportation Museum, the Museum of Lake Minnetonka owns and operates the Minnehaha and has since evolved into a separate, fully volunteer supported 501-C3 organization staffed by a board of directors, volunteers, and dedicated member base.

Committed to preserving Lake Minnetonka’s history through its living exhibits, the museum continues to explore new ways of sharing the story of the Minnehaha and of Lake Minnetonka with the thousands of unique visitors who come from all across the world each summer to ride the Minnehaha.