thedrifter
01-02-09, 06:46 AM
Residents may raise money for museum
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jan 2, 2009 6:34:35 EST
WINONA, Minn. — A group of Winona citizens may try to raise funds to buy a historic Mississippi River vessel that was to be the centerpiece of a marine museum that failed to raise the money to buy it.
The dredge William A. Thompson was used to clear sediment for more than 1,000 miles of commercial navigation channels from 1937 until its retirement in 2008. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum opened in Winona in 2006 with plans to moor the Thompson there permanently, but the museum recently withdrew its bid after failing to raise the $2 million to $3 million estimated to be needed to relocate, refurbish and maintain the dredge.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tells the Winona Daily News the dredge will be listed for sale again — but if no buyers turn up it will probably be cannibalized for parts in the next few years.
Six Winona residents not affiliated with the museum plan to meet this month to discuss other ways to raise the money needed to keep the vessel in Winona.
Ellie
The Associated Press
Posted : Friday Jan 2, 2009 6:34:35 EST
WINONA, Minn. — A group of Winona citizens may try to raise funds to buy a historic Mississippi River vessel that was to be the centerpiece of a marine museum that failed to raise the money to buy it.
The dredge William A. Thompson was used to clear sediment for more than 1,000 miles of commercial navigation channels from 1937 until its retirement in 2008. The Minnesota Marine Art Museum opened in Winona in 2006 with plans to moor the Thompson there permanently, but the museum recently withdrew its bid after failing to raise the $2 million to $3 million estimated to be needed to relocate, refurbish and maintain the dredge.
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers tells the Winona Daily News the dredge will be listed for sale again — but if no buyers turn up it will probably be cannibalized for parts in the next few years.
Six Winona residents not affiliated with the museum plan to meet this month to discuss other ways to raise the money needed to keep the vessel in Winona.
Ellie