The PGE Waterpower Interpretive Center
The Portland General Electric Waterpower Interpretive Center blends the two historic stories, that of the Methodist Mission and the Thomas Kay Woolen Mill. The exhibit features storyboards depicting Salem’s important waterpower history and a working miniature mill with pulleys, belts and an elevator.All ages love the water and the Water Play Dam is the perfect place to get a little wet. Originating at the 1982 World's Fair in Knoxville, TN, the Water Play Dam has been a favorite of visitors since 1987 when the museum opened.
It has many learning possibilities by teaching about water power and electricity but also provides lessons on the historical use of waterways in Tennessee and America for commerce and travel. It has a working lock that demonstrates how canals and water are used to transport goods.
The addition of the railroad exhibit emphasizes the changes of travel and commerce from waterways to steam and a method of transporting goods across the country during the expansion West, and today.
HYDRO GENERATOR Visitors hand pump water to fill an overhead water tank and watch the water fall down over a Pelton water wheel. The Pelton wheel is connected to a generator that produces electrical energy. The hydro Generator is part of a multimedia display of art, light and sound. Once visitors produce enough power, a coloured chaser light activates and which connects power to its associated family member, in this case Hydro Mother. Hydro Mother then rotates her upper body causing her arms to go up and down over her wavy skirt and begins to play an original musical composition.
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