Two decades ago, when Enterprise Mill closed its doors, most Augustans thought the aging brick giant would follow other dying textile mills into decay and eventual destruction.

Instead, the 260,000-square-foot building has continued to evolve - first reincarnated into housing and offices, and now into a historic Southern tourist attraction.

"Isn't it amazing?" asked Rebecca Rogers, the communications director for the Augusta Canal Authority, which is transforming 10,000 square feet of the mill into an interpretive center dedicated to Augusta's past.

Although not scheduled to open until Thursday, dozens of exhibits that chronicle the region's industrial past - and Augusta's innovative use of water power - are well under way.

One exhibit already functioning is a water-powered turbine, where visitors can witness water from the nearby canal turning the rotor.

"We're planning to add a leather loop to the drive mechanism so it can turn paddle fans," Ms. Rogers said. "People can see how water power works."

In the mill's heyday, water powered its 908 looms. Today, canal water still turns the mill's gigantic turbines, generating enough electricity (and revenue) to finance the canal authority's rent from the mill's owner.

The displays being assembled inside feature almost two centuries of history, including the canal's creation in 1845 and expansion in the 1870s.

Enterprise, which provided textiles for a growing nation and employment for generations of Augustans, also has a story to tell. Exhibits will explore mill life, labor and manufacturing, and the Civil War era.

For now, visitors can look into the windows at the work under way or simply walk the courtyards of the restored mill and stroll the nearby canal banks.

Soon, Ms. Rogers said, the sound of textile looms will fill the mill again - this time as part of an exhibit that includes a working loom from the bygone days of Enterprise.

The interpretive center, costing almost $3 million, was developed as a partnership between the canal authority and the National Park Service. The dedication reception will be at 5 to 7 p.m. Thursday, with doors opening to the public the next day.