July 14, 2016, Thursday - Hennepin Island Hydropower Tour with the Mill City Museum
Time: 1:00pm-2:30pm, approx. 1.5 miles
Location: Meet at 125 Main Street SE (at the green awning between Pracna on Main and the Aster Café).
Tickets on sale online or at 612-341-7555.
Future Date: July 28
Mill City Museum and Xcel Energy will partner on a series of weekday walking tours highlighting the story of waterpower at St. Anthony Falls, including rare access to an operating power plant.
During the early 20th century, more than two dozen mills and hydroelectric plants used the water power from St. Anthony Falls. Today just one is left: Xcel Energy's Hennepin Island Hydroelectric Plant.
On this tour, a Mill City Museum guide will lead participants to Hennepin Island and Father Hennepin Bluffs Park, including special access to the power plant. Along the way, participants will learn about the historic uses of waterpower at the falls for flour milling, sawmilling and hydroelectricity, the role of hydroelectricity in Xcel Energy's green energy and energy efficiency initiatives and the future of waterpower on the Minneapolis riverfront.
Hennepin Island Hydropower Tour is presented by Xcel Energy.