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NATCHEZ — Thursday is the grand opening and ribbon cutting of the Sidney A. Murray Hydro Museum, which moved to the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center from its former location by the hydroelectric station on Louisiana 15.

A ceremonial opening and ribbon cutting for the museum hosted by the Concordia Chamber of Commerce will begin at 5 p.m. Thursday in the Vidalia Conference and Convention Center.

The plant began operation in the early 1990s under former mayor Sidney A. Murray and is a significant revenue source for the Town of Vidalia, Mayor Buz Craft said.

The museum is located to the right of the entrance to the convention center in a glass office that formerly held a Louisiana tourist information center.

Models and exhibits that demonstrate how the structure was built as well as a tribute to Murray will be included in the museum, Craft said.

The Murray family has been invited to the ceremony as special guests, Craft said.

“When the state moved out of the tourist information center in the convention center, we thought it would be a good idea to move it there where tourists and other people from out of town could have better access to it,” he said. “Vidalia as we know it is a direct result of the benefits from the hydro plant to our little town. We think that it is a great part of our history and (the museum) tells the story of the plant from its inception to putting it into service. As we reach the golden years of benefit from it, I think people should be aware of what it is and what it means for our community.”