Lance Martin Herald Senior Staff Writer

Lance Martin | Daily Herald Dominion Power presented a check to the Roanoke Canal Museum Tuesday. The check will be used to build a exhibit on power generation. Pictured, from left, are Jim Frazier, co-chairman of the Roanoke Canal Museum committee, Julia Fitts, Robert M. Blue, state and federal affairs director of Dominion Power and Chris Wicker, director of parks and recreation for the city of Roanoke Rapids. Advertisement

ROANOKE RAPIDS - Dominion Power continued its strong support of Roanoke Canal Museum and Trail Tuesday with the presentation of a $150,000 check.

The money will go toward the construction of the signature exhibit of the museum, a working model of canal power generation the way it was done in 1915.

That technology made Roanoke Rapids one of the first electrified cities in the country, officials said at a ceremony held at the museum.

After a DVD presentation documenting Dominion's relationship to the canal and the trail, city Economic Development Director Rick Benton said, “It's a great testament to the company. Dominion has been involved with this facility since 1914 and has played an integral role in the preservation of its history.”

Lori Medlin, executive director of the Halifax County Tourism Development Authority, said, “This is truly a day to celebrate partnerships.”

Medlin said Dominion is one the city's biggest benefactors, as it has worked on improvements to the Canal Trail and the new Lake Park, which will open in June. “We have people stopping in looking for a way to access the lake. This summer we'll have a beautiful park to send them to.”

Jim Frazier, co-chairman of the museum committee and a former Dominion employee, said, “The canal museum is a special project to me personally. That the company is giving us $150,000 is absolutely thrilling.” While the entire plans for the exhibit have not been finalized, the model will be in the bottom section of the museum. Design plans will proceed quickly, Frazier said. “We started this project in 1999 and we're still working. It's going to be finished. It's going to be first class.”

Robert M. Blue, vice president of state and federal affairs for Dominion, said, “Dominion traces its roots to a canal company. The Roanoke Canal Museum is a very special place. Use of this facility was one of the first of its kind. The Roanoke River is one of the crown jewels in the entire region. This museum is part of our joint heritage.”