AVERY ISLAND, La.--- In celebration of nearly 150 years on Avery Island, McIlhenny Company, the maker of Tabasco® brand Pepper Sauce, has started construction to expand its current visitors center. When the newly renovated center opens in late fall 2015 and the Restaurant opening late July 2015, visitors to Avery Island will experience a behind-the-scenes look into how McIlhenny Company and its surrounding region are intertwined.

The centerpiece of the new addition will be a museum featuring rare family artifacts and video installations illustrating the origins and generations of the McIlhenny family and the brand's heritage, dating back to the 1800's. These installations will also highlight Avery Island's history as well as the company's stewardship of the Island and surrounding environment.

For the first time ever visitors will also be able to experience firsthand the company's production process from seed to plate. The newly expanded tours will include the greenhouse, mash warehouse and processing, guiding visitors from planting tabasco peppers to aging pepper mash in oak barrels for up to three years, and finally the processing and bottling of Tabasco Sauce. Visitors will also be able to enjoy authentic Cajun cuisine in a new cafeteria-style restaurant, which will offer regional Louisiana favorites including crawfish étouffée, red beans and rice, crawfish corn maque choux, and boudin.

"We are proud of our company's rich heritage and are eager to bring that history to life in the newly expanded visitors center," said Tony Simmons, McIlhenny Company president and CEO and fifth-generation family member. "The visitors center will serve to strengthen our connection to our home on Avery Island, and to our visiting fans and loyal customers."

McIlhenny Company plans to complete the expansion project by late fall 2015 and looks forward to the new  tourism it will bring to South Louisiana. Current factory and Jungle Garden tours on Avery Island will continue to be offered as construction continues. For more information about visiting the home of Tabasco Sauce on Avery Island, please visit TABASCO.com.