New York Power Authority: 7th million visitor milestone marked

NYPA 'Hard Hats' honored

The New York Power Authority's admission-free Power Vista visitors center marked an attendance milestone of welcoming 7 million visitors since the facility first opened its doors in 1963. At an event to mark the milestone and the facility's 50th anniversary Monday, NYPA's Regional Manager for Western New York Harry Francois (fifth from left) was on hand to greet the visitors and to recognize 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 at www.nypa.gov/vc/niagara.htm. The messages will be included in a Power Vista time capsule to be buried at the end of its 50th anniversary year, next July. (Photo courtesy of New York Power Authority)