Love your paddle wheel boat! Looking forward to reading more info about it when posted. Did you buy it at an estate sale? Dig it up? If it were mine, I'd keep it permanently regardless of whether or not I discovered info about it's history.
A very old Polish-American friend of ours carefully created an exact and perfectly made miniature of a famed U.S. Naval boat. When his son sent photos of it to the Navy, they were amazed, so the elderly maker donated it to them. The Navy placed it in a place of honor where the public could see it. I realize yours isn't created to that standard, but I also think yours is wonderful! HAVE FUN! Andi