A Vision for the Powerhouse

By Alisha Rosset

This is the fourth in a series of stories about the Powerhouse, which sits at the core of the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site. Work to stabilize the structure began in December 2023 and is expected to finish in 2025. The Powerhouse, one of three historic buildings that greet visitors as they arrive at the Sault Ste. Marie Canal National Historic Site, was built at the end of the 19th century.

Work is currently underway to restore the heritage value of the Powerhouse, to reflect its historic role in producing hydro-electric power for operating the historic canal. Parks Canada has a vision of using the building to tell the story of how engineers harnessed the power of water to generate electricity.

Starting on the ground floor, visitors would see and hear the turbines as they bring water into the building. Next, gears and pullies would guide visitors to the second floor, where generators would produce the spark of electricity that powered the lock and buildings of the canal. Finally, the third floor would offer visitors a bird’s eye-view of the entire system in action and provide space for more in-depth learning and programming.

To move toward this vision, Parks Canada is presently finalizing the Powerhouse stabilization work. This guided experience would allow visitors to gain an appreciation for engineering marvels from the past and a deeper understanding of the Powerhouse’s function in producing hydro-electricity for the site. 

Back to shoreLINES