BPA hosts grand opening and open house, Oct. 7
(PORTLAND, OR) -- The Bonneville Power Administration is opening a new visitor center at its headquarters in Portland, Ore. The center, housed in the BPA Library, offers a fun, informative and interactive experience for visitors of all ages interested in learning more about BPA’s history and the electrification of the Northwest.
“This new visitor center captures our rich history that has benefited the Northwest and the nation,” said BPA Administrator and CEO Elliot Mainzer. “We invite folks to come and explore the development of clean, low-cost federal hydroelectric power in the Northwest and the many benefits the federal power system provides the region today and for generations to come.”
The new center features hundreds of historic photographs, dozens of films and interactive maps and games. “The center is a fun way for the public, especially young people, to explore the history of electric power in the Northwest,” said BPA librarian Kaye Silver.
BPA is hosting a grand opening, Oct. 7 from noon to 3 p.m. The event includes a ribbon-cutting ceremony, a special presentation about Stephen Kahn, BPA’s first information officer, and a reception followed by an open house. Stephen Kahn’s daughter, Karen, is a special guest. Click here to view the invitation.
The BPA Library and Visitor Center is open to the public. It’s located inside BPA’s headquarters building at 905 NE 11th Ave., Portland, OR 97232. *Please note that the BPA Visitor Center is separate from the Bonneville Lock and Dam Visitor Center. All visitors to BPA must present a valid driver’s license or government issued identification. Please allow extra time for airport-like security screening upon entry.
In addition to the new center, the BPA Library and Visitor Center offers other resources to the public. You can check out materials from BPA’s collection through interlibrary loan from your local library or set up a BPA Library account. As a federal depository, the BPA Library collects books, reports and microforms issued by government agencies and library staff can help with research of BPA’s document archives, many of which have BPA’s new visitor center features hundreds of historic photographs, dozens of films and interactive maps and games. been digitized. To contact the BPA Library and Visitor Center, call 503-230-INFO (4636) or email visitorcenter@bpa.gov.
BPA Library History
The BPA Library was established in 1939, two years after the creation of BPA. It was originally part of the marketing division under BPA’s Project and Contract Department, but moved to BPA’s Information Division by the end of its first year. In its early days, it handled research, cataloging, indexing and circulation, and also prepared bibliographies, digests and summaries on technical topics. When it opened, it was located in the Holladay building beside BPA’s original headquarters in the Lloyd District. In 1983, it moved to a building near Benson Polytechnic High School. And then in 1989, it moved to BPA’s new headquarters building on 11th Avenue where it has been on the first floor ever since.
