Niagara Power Vista Celebrates 7 Million Visitors

The Niagara Power Vista opened it’s doors in 1963 following the completion of the The New York Power Authority’s plant in Lewiston. On Monday, October 29th, 2013 the Niagara Power Vista celebrated seven million visitors walking through it’s doors.

19 year old Zach Yates was the 7 millionth visitor to the New York State Power Vista

The Niagara Power Vista held an event to mark the milestone and the facility’s 50th anniversary on October 29th with NYPA’s Regional Manager for Western New York Harry Francois in attendance. The ceremony not only celebrated the seven million visitor mark but also recognized the Hard Hats of Niagara, a group of retired construction workers who built the Power Vista and the Niagara Hydroelectric Power Plant.

The Power Vista opened officially on July 16, 1963, and since July, visitors have been encouraged to commemorate the event with a message on a 50th anniversary greeting card at the visitors center, or by logging onto the NYPA website. The messages will be included in a Power Vista time capsule to be buried at the end of its 50th anniversary year, next July.

The Power Vista is situated three hundred and fifty feet above the Niagara River and the glass enclosed facility offers an excellent view both inside and out of the Niagara Gorge and neighboring power stations on each side of the river.

Visitors can learn how water enters the project, drops through the penstocks and spins huge turbines generating electricity. If weather permits, the formal tour will also include an outdoor visit to the fore-bay area and a spare turbine.

The entire Niagara Power Plant was built in three years by more than 11,700 workers and that history is preserved at the Niagara Power Vista.