2002 marked the 100th year for the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP). To commemorate this centennial, a permanent exhibit was design for a local water filtration plant. After the events of 9-11, public visitation to the plant was discouraged, so a traveling exhibit "Celebrating a Century of Service to the City of Los Angeles" was created. The anniversary exhibit, "Water and Power in the History of Los Angeles" provided a special insight into the role the LADWP has played in the development of Los Angeles.

The change from permanent to traveling exhibit created numerous challenges, including tight deadlines, and the lack of artifacts or display venues. Artifacts were quickly researched and acquired from throughout California LADWP plant facilities.

The first exhibit was presented at the Gene Autry Western Heritage Museum. The exhibit was then reconfigured for the historic Pico House, the San Pedro Harbor, and concluding in an empty store interior at the Sherman Oaks Galleria.