Since 1914, Lay Dam has played a vital role in providing reliable, affordable electricity to Alabama Power customers. A multimedia exhibit opening today at the Alabama Power Company Archives Museum recounts the story of Lay Dam’s century of service – from the challenges and hardships surrounding its initial construction, to the economic and recreational contributions the dam and Lay Lake continue to make to the region and state.

The exhibit, which runs through Nov. 7, tells the story through historic photos, maps and artifacts, and video. The exhibit also features important documents, as well as recollections from people who lived at a company village that once thrived at Lay Dam.  

The dam is named after Alabama Power’s first president, Capt. William Patrick Lay. It was Lay who persuaded Congress to authorize the company’s first dam on the Coosa River at a site then known as Lock 12. The dam, which began operation in 1914, also created Lay Lake, a 12,000-acre reservoir with 289 miles of shoreline in Chilton, Coosa, Shelby and Talladega counties offering a variety of recreational opportunities for the public.

Today, Alabama Power manages 11 reservoirs and 14 hydroelectric dams on the Coosa, Tallapoosa and Black Warrior rivers, producing low-cost, clean and reliable energy for customers and recreation for residents and visitors.

The archives museum is located inside Alabama Power’s historic 1925 building, which is part of the company’s corporate headquarters, 600 North 18^th St., in downtown Birmingham. Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.