The Minnesota Navy League is proud to continue its restoration efforts on the U.S.S. Minneapolis St. Paul (SSN 708)! With every phase of this project, the transformation is truly remarkable, breathing new life into this vital piece of Minnesota’s naval history.
How You Can Help
To complete the restoration, the Minnesota Navy League is seeking donations from supporters like you. Help preserve Minnesota’s Naval Heritage by contributing today: Donate Here.
A Partnership for History
The restoration is a collaborative effort between the Minnesota Military & Veterans Museum (MMVM) and the Minnesota Navy League, with the goal of creating a dedicated space to showcase Minnesota’s rich naval legacy. Once complete, the U.S.S. Minneapolis St. Paul’s sail and rudder will become central features of the museum’s new 32-acre site at the intersection of Highways 371 and 115. This site will also house the historic gun from the U.S.S. Ward (DD-139), which was manned by St. Paul reservists and is known for firing the first U.S. shots in World War II, sinking a Japanese Midget Submarine on December 7, 1941.
Behind the Restoration Efforts
This ambitious project began with the transportation of the SSN-708’s sail and rudder from the Bremerton Naval Yard to Camp Ripley a couple of years ago. The restoration, currently underway and expected to take at least six months, is being executed by C4 Welding (Sauk Rapids), Central Sandblasting (Mounds View), and Anderson Trucking Service (St. Cloud).
Upon completion, the restored components will be displayed at the new museum site, which is set for a grand opening in the summer of 2026. In the meantime, the museum is actively collecting SSN-708 artifacts and oral histories from those who served aboard the submarine. If you or someone you know has memorabilia or stories to share, the museum would love to hear from you!
Raising Awareness
To showcase the progress of the restoration and raise awareness, the museum has released the first in a series of short videos. View it here. The story of the Navy veterans driving this restoration effort will also be featured in an upcoming documentary produced by Lakeland Public Television.
Preserving History, Honoring Service
The Minnesota Navy League’s partnership with the MMVM is a testament to the commitment to preserve Minnesota’s naval heritage and honor the service of those who have defended our country. Your support can help bring this vision to life and ensure that future generations understand the impact of Minnesota’s naval history.
To join this mission and support the restoration of the U.S.S. Minneapolis St. Paul (SSN 708), donate today: Click Here to Donate.
Thank you to our partners, supporters, and everyone contributing to this historic project!
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