Full-scale representations of the U.S. Senate chamber and the late Sen. Edward Kennedy's Capitol Hill office will open to the public on March 31, 2015, the Edward Kennedy Institute for the U.S. Senate announced Wednesday. A gala celebration is set for March 29 and a formal dedication ceremony for the 68,000 square-foot building will take place on March 30.

Located in Dorchester's Columbia Point area, the building sits next to the UMass Boston campus and the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. Visitors will be able to debate and vote on legislation in the U.S. Senate chamber representation, and see exhibits on past Senate debates.

Edward Kennedy served in the Senate for 47 years before passing away in August 2009. He won the seat, which had been previously held by his brother John F. Kennedy, in 1962.