The Vision

The Discovery Museum at the Powerhouse will be a unique interactive museum where visitors from all over the country, the Four Corners region, and locals of all ages can explore energy past, present, and future. A vibrant gem along the Animas River, the museum will be an anchor for downtown and catalyst for revitalizing Durango's riverfront. Housed in the oldest known AC power plant to survive to this day, the museum's interactive exhibits will inspire you to be enterprising and inventive, while green building additions will invite exploration. Recently, the Powerhouse site and structures have undergone major historic preservation renovation and brownfield remediation. The building and surrounding area now stand ready for an exciting transformation.

Inspiring Invention and Discovery

The Powerhouse can help us examine the role of power in our lives and, as it did more than a century ago, help us answer the question, "Are you ready for the future?" Visitors will experiment with the foundation sciences that gave rise to electrical power, learn about locally mined energy products, operate hydrogen powered race cars, and explore building techniques that result in low utility bills without sacrificing comfort or convenience. Exhibits will include use of the equipment remaining in the Powerhouse from its early days of operation, including turbine AC generators, to explain the science of electricity generation. Exhibits will demonstrate different innovative technologies for creating energy and techniques for conserving energy usage.

A Green Future

In keeping with the Powerhouse founder's commitment to innovation, we believe new ideas and methods can meet our nation's energy needs while maintaining a healthy environment. We aim to make the Powerhouse a power producer again--a showplace for new energy. The Discovery Museum at the Powerhouse is also a registered LEED project. LEED principles ensure the building's construction and operation meet high standards for energy efficiency and environmental stewardship. With

Riverfront Revitalization

Imagine a riverfront park alive with children climbing outdoor exhibits, adults sipping espresso, and friends bicycling in to share a picnic lunch. A local artist strums a banjo, and sounds of delight emit from a festive carousel. In the evening, pedestrians stroll beneath Victorian street lamps shimmering along the river trail. It's a beautiful way to wrap up a day in downtown Durango.

A Community Asset

While contributing $3 million per year to the Durango economy, the Discovery Museum at the Powerhouse will jump start riverfront revitalization. The site plan ties Main Avenue to the riverfront via a pedestrian-friendly portal and establishes the museum as an anchor for downtown, attracting tourists and locals alike.