It houses exhibitions relating to the Snowy Mountains Hydro Electric Scheme.

The collection consists of significant examples of the machines and materials used to build the Scheme.

Governor General Bryce told those in attendance: "It is bringing this powerful component of Australia's history into a museum, for people to come and learn the history of the Snowy, for it to be passed down to generations.

It involved 100,000 workers from around the world who reversed rivers and built 16 dams, 7 power stations and 145 kilometres of tunnels.

[2] Construction of the Scheme necessitated the flooding of the Eucumbene River Valley near Old Adaminaby and resulted in the relocation of the entire population of the township and construction of a new town on the Snowy Mountains Highway away from the rising waters of Lake Eucumbene.