The Minnesota Historical Society has awarded more than $7 million in grants to preserve our state's

The Minnesota Historical Society has awarded more than $7 million worth of grants to preserve our state's history. W. C. C. O. S. Allen Henry has a look at some of the unique recipients that are hoping their causes will stand the test of time. The beautiful steamboat mini haha is 118 years old, but the last time she was in the water was pre pandemic. It's now been five years since we've been able to get her in the water, but we're working hard to get that accomplished so that she can be reunited with the community. The Lake Minnetonka Historical Society is just one of the nonprofits receiving funding to preserve Minnesota's history. She has served as a floating museum. This is one of those museums where we invite people into the exhibit. Uh, we let people take their turn staring the boat, really learning about steam technology as it was back in the early days. I wanted to see what they were doing. I wanted to see the moves. I wanted to see where my history comes from. That history is wide ranging from century old ships archiving footage of Minnesota's breakdance battles. I thought it'd be really important to start thinking about how do we preserve this history, especially because some of these people from the first generation are passing away or have passed away, capturing more than the moves, but the climate of the times. This was one of the first places where, um, african american and white fans of hip hop would mix. It was sort of looked at as like a neutral ground with a new plank here and new cocking and sailing the grant money, hoping to ensure the future can see at least a glimpse of the past. Having raised this boat, have it restored and returned to the community. It would be a shame if she ended up as a static display. It's continuing and there's a reason why it continues. And part of that reason is the roots. So we have to know our roots. Alan Henry WCCO News. The grant money for these projects comes from the legacy amendments, arts and cultural heritage fund. It's an amendment to the Minnesota Constitution passed by voters in 2000 and eight that uses sales tax dollars to preserve arts and cultural heritage around the state.