NYPA Press Release

For Immediate Release:5/28/2026
Contact: media.inquiries@nypa.gov| (518) 860-9935

NYPA to Launch Modernization Project of Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center

Upgrades to Enhance Exhibits, Improve Visitor Experience and Preserve Historic 1881 Barn

New Nuclear Education Exhibit to ExploreAdvanced Nuclear Technologies and Career Pathways

See Renderings of Future Visitors Center Here
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WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.—The New York Power Authority (NYPA) today announced it will begin a restoration and enhancement project at the visitors center for the Blenheim-Gilboa (B-G) Pumped Storage Power Project. The renovation is part of the Power Authority’s broader efforts to support communities located near its statewide facilities and assets.

New York Power Authority Trustee Laurie Wheelock said, “For generations, the Blenheim-Gilboa Visitors Center has served as a gateway for communities to connect with the area’s rich history. This restoration and enhancement project is an important step in preserving that legacy and will upgrade the facility to better serve visitors, expand educational programming, and continue welcoming community members for years to come.”

The visitors center, housed in an 1881 dairy barn located within the historic Lansing Manor complex, first opened in 1974 and was last renovated in 1993. Nearly 50,000 guests visit the site annually, attending one of the more than 100 educational tours, seasonal events, functions, and community activities held on the grounds each year. The restoration and modernization efforts will help ensure the visitors center can continue serving as an accessible, engaging educational destination for decades to come.

Planned improvements to the visitors center include updates to exhibit and theater spaces, the expansion of guest amenities, infrastructure refurbishments, improvements to building systems, and the installation of energy-efficient lighting, among others. NYPA is redesigning the layout of the internal space so it can better serve visitors, staff, and the Blenheim-Gilboa community. The restoration project will adhere to New York State Historic Preservation Office standards.

Additionally, the Power Authority will add a new nuclear energy education exhibit to introduce visitors to advanced nuclear technologies and associated career pathways. NYPA will implement similar exhibits in all its visitor centers as part of New York State’s NextGen Nuclear Initiative, which is designed to expand public education on the role of nuclear energy in New York’s future and highlight the jobs, investments, and long-term opportunities tied to advanced nuclear generation.

A three-year, $22 million construction contract was approved by the NYPA trustees last week to LeChase Construction, a New York state-based firm. Work on the project is expected to commence later this summer. 

Planned annual events scheduled after July, including the Wildlife Festival held on Sept. 26, will be held at nearby Mine Kill State Park until construction is completed.

The restoration and enhancement of the visitors center fulfills commitments made under the 2019 relicensing agreement for the continued operation of the Blenheim‑Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project. As part of that agreement, the Power Authority implemented a suite of other improvements, including site access upgrades to B-G Upper Reservoir, enhancements to fishing amenities and fish habitats, and bathhouse and pool improvements and a new footbridge on the Long Path hiking trail at Mine Kill State Park.

NYPA Regional Manager and Senior Vice President Timothy Rich said, “The Blenheim‑Gilboa Visitors Center has long been a place where people of all ages come to learn about the history of the region and the important role hydropower plays in New York’s clean energy economy. This restoration represents an exciting investment in both preserving the character of this historic site and creating a more engaging, accessible experience for visitors. We look forward to welcoming the community back to a revitalized center that will honor its legacy while inspiring future generations.”

The visitors center features interactive exhibits on electricity, energy use, and the operation of the Blenheim-Gilboa Pumped Storage Power Project. The center is open daily from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. for self-guided and group tours. The visitors center is located on Route 30, 17 miles south of Middleburgh, five miles north of Grand Gorge, and about one hour from Albany.

Admission is always free, and school groups and community organizations are welcome. For more information or a full calendar of events, call 1-800-724-0309 or visit www.nypa.gov.

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About NYPA

The New York Power Authority is the largest state public power organization in the nation, operating 17 generating facilities and more than 1,550 circuit-miles of transmission lines. More than 80 percent of the electricity NYPA produces is clean renewable hydropower. NYPA finances its operations through the sale of bonds and revenues earned in large part through sales of electricity. For more information visit www.nypa.gov and follow us on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and Substack.