The Powerhouse: Bringing Together Curious Minds of All Ages
Innovation sparks curiosity at The Powerhouse. The family friendly and dynamic destination offers interactive exhibits to fuel the minds of visitors of all ages. Learn about the past, present, and future at this electrifying Durango museum.
The Powerhouse
The Powerhouse is located in Downtown Durango, right on the banks of the Animas River. It's a favorite stop on the Animas River Trail, and it's easy to see why. The Powerhouse is the perfect place to power up the minds of visitors from toddlers to adults. What makes The Powerhouse a top Durango attraction? It thrives on the spirit of making STEM accessible.
PSC Website
The Powerhouse Exhibits & Events
The museum features hands-on displays and demonstrations, a treehouse to explore, a sensory garden, and more. It's the perfect place for a kid-friendly Durango outing. In addition to permanent exhibits, The Powerhouse features traveling exhibits that offer insight and inspiration. Check the Powerhouse website for more information regarding their current traveling exhibits.
You'll also find can't-miss special events almost every day of the week at The Powerhouse. Highlights include Tiny Tuesdays, which gives toddlers and preschoolers an opportunity to get hands-on with science. Powerhouse Trivia Night takes place every Thursday through the summer and lets participants show off their knowledge and enjoy good eats from local food trucks. The Powerhouse also hosts private events, weddings, and kids' birthday parties in their historic building.
PowSci TinkerLab
The Powerhouse TinkerLab is where you and your children can get hands-on and creative. Projects are facilitated by staff scientists and might include anything from small robots to rocket launchers. The programs in the TinkerLab are designed to challenge and inspire children with hands-on projects crafted to promote interest in the disciplines of STEAM: science, technology, engineering, art, math, and design.
History of The Powerhouse
The building that today houses PowSci is rich with history. It dates all the way back to 1883 and is one of the earliest coal-fired alternating current (AC) electric plants in the world. This means Durango was lit with electricity well before many major cities on the coasts. The Powerhouse kept the lights on for Durango for nearly a century. It was shuttered in the 1970s and the historic building soon fell into disrepair.
PowSci History
Kid Friendly & Fun
It was considered one of Colorado's most endangered buildings even though it was on both state and national lists recognizing historic places. Then in the late 1990s, when the Children's Museum of Durango had outgrown its existing facility and needed a fresh start. They turned to the dilapidated Powerhouse building and saw potential. Renovations started in 2002 and were completed by 2006 when the building was transformed into the PowSci we know today.
Ready to get powered up for yourself? The Powerhouse is located at 1333 Camino del Rio in Durango, CO. Hours are 9:00 am to 4:00 pm Tuesday through Sunday throughout the summer. Learn more about The Powerhouse on their website.
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