Andy Close
MEAD TWP., Pa. – Among the many great features of the Kinzua Dam is the Visitor Center, a facility that has been closed for an extended period of time but is now open to the public on the weekends from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. through Labor Day.
On Sunday, members from the Facebook group CONSTRUCTION of the KINZUA DAM, a group with nearly 9,000 members, gathered to greet visitors and engage in discussion about the dam.
The group’s primary focus is on the various construction phases of the dam, which was completed in 1965, and for people to tell stories and share memories.
And they are glad the visitor center is open once again.
“I’m happy that it’s open,” said group member Joan Christenson. “It’s a wonderful thing. It’s been closed for so long. It’s great that more people are getting in and learning about it. It does need updated – some information on what used to be here before would be wonderful. As a start, they are taking leaps and bounds as far as getting things up and running.”
The center features a number of exhibits dedicated to showing the construction of the dam and how it operates, as well as an informational video.
Outside, there are a number of places to sit and enjoy the beauty around the dam, as well as a playground for children.
“After our meeting in May, I had never been here,” said group member Bill Rote, who participated in the construction of the dame in the 1960s. “I stopped I don’t know how many times and it was never open.”
But that has changed now.
“I was shocked when I saw how many good exhibits were in this little facility,” Rote said. “And I was thinking, well why isn’t this open more often? There’s a big draw for the facility. I’m hoping that we can, as a group, assist in keeping a place like this open. Because there’s a demand for it.”
And as for the dam itself, the group will continue to tell its story, as well as celebrate the area around it.
“Believe it or not, I was totally opposed to the construction of the dam,” said group founder Bob Schmid. “It’s one of those things as a kid, coming down here, I would see the progress of the dam and it was hugely fascinating.”
The Touring Warren County series on Your Daily Local is sponsored by the Warren County Visitors Bureau. Visit them at their office on Route 6 or online at wcvb.net.
See all the installments of our Touring Warren County series here.
Enjoy some pictures below from in and around the visitor center.
