National Museum of Nuclear Science & History facts for kids

National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Established	1969 (1969)
Location	601 Eubank Blvd SE, Albuquerque, NM 87123
Type	Aviation and science museum
Accreditation	American Alliance of Museums
Visitors	40,093 (2021)
Public transit access	Central @ Eubank (ART)
Nearest parking	On-site (no charge)

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is a special museum in New Mexico. It used to be called the National Atomic Museum. This museum is the official place for information about nuclear science in America. It was created by the 102nd United States Congress in 1991.

The museum's main goal is to share the history and science of the nuclear age. It has exhibits and educational programs. These programs teach about the people and events that shaped this important time in history.

Museum History

The museum first opened in 1969. It was located on a military base called Kirtland Air Force Base in an old building. Back then, it was called the "Sandia Atomic Museum." It took six years to create this museum. Its purpose was to tell the story of the base and how nuclear weapons were developed. Air Force staff and scientists from Sandia National Laboratories helped run it.

In 1973, the museum's name changed to "National Atomic Museum." However, it wasn't officially a national museum yet. In 1985, the United States Department of Energy took over. The museum staff became government employees.

Becoming a National Museum

In 1991, the museum officially became a national museum. Its mission grew to include all parts of nuclear science and history, not just weapons. It also became connected with the Smithsonian Institution. To help fund the museum, a non-profit group called the National Atomic Museum Foundation (NAMF) was created in 1992. This group helps run and pay for the museum.

In 1995, the museum's operations were transferred to Sandia National Laboratories. Then, in 2005, the NAMF took over running the museum. The museum hired new staff who became employees of NAMF.

Moving to a New Home

After the events of September 11, 2001, security at the military base increased. This made it hard for the public to visit the museum. So, the museum had to move to a different location in Old Town Albuquerque.

The new location didn't have enough space for the large outdoor exhibits. In 2005, the NAMF asked for land to build a bigger museum. They got 12 acres (about 4.9 hectares) of land in southeast Albuquerque. Construction began in 2006. The museum staff even shared photos of the building's progress online.

The new museum opened on April 4, 2009. It was given its current name: National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

How the Museum Was Built

Building the new museum cost money from many different places:

• $5 million came from the U.S. government.
• $1 million came from the State of New Mexico.
• $2.63 million came from companies.
• $25,000 came from foundations.
• $500,000 came from individual people.

The new museum building has 16 permanent indoor exhibit areas. It also has two classrooms, a theater, a library, and a gift shop. This indoor space is about 30,000 square feet (0.28 hectares). Outside, there are nine acres (3.6 hectares) for displaying military aircraft, missiles, and even part of a nuclear submarine.

The museum costs about $1.8 million each year to operate. This money comes from ticket sales, memberships, grants, summer camps, events, and gift shop sales.

Museum Exhibits

The museum focuses on showing information about the science, history, and culture of the Atomic Age. Here are some of the main exhibits:

• Pioneers of the Atom – This exhibit lets you learn about the scientists who studied and defined what atoms are. You can use an interactive screen to follow the history of atomic study.

• World War II – This display teaches about the history that led to the creation and use of the atomic bomb. It also shows which countries were involved in the war.

• Critical Assembly, the Secrets of Los Alamos 1944 – This special exhibit looks like the actual laboratory where the first atomic bomb was put together. It uses real items from the 1940s to show what it was like at Los Alamos National Laboratory.

• The Decision to Drop – This exhibit explores the start of the Atomic Age. It covers the design and testing of the first atomic bomb during the Manhattan Project. You can learn about the scientists' lives and their journey to the Trinity site, where the first bomb exploded in 1945. This exhibit tries to show all sides of the history and decisions about using the first nuclear weapons, called Little Boy and Fat Man.

It includes comments from Manhattan Project staff, statements from Japanese leaders, and a copy of a petition from a scientist who didn't want the bomb used without warning. You can also see photos from the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. The exhibit has videos of Col. Paul Tibbets, the pilot who dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, Japan. It also shows the strong emotions in the United States when Japan surrendered.

• Hiroshima and Nagasaki – This exhibit honors the people affected by the atomic bombs. It shows pictures of these cities before, during, and after the bombings. It also highlights the ongoing commitment to peace in these communities.

• Cold War – This section looks at the long conflict between the United States and the USSR. It covers U.S. nuclear tests, Soviet nuclear development, and the Cuban Missile Crisis in 1962. It also explains the end of the Soviet Union. This exhibit also includes details about the 1966 Palomares B-52 crash. This was a mid-air crash between two U.S. Air Force planes in 1966. Four hydrogen bombs were accidentally dropped, causing some radioactive contamination.

• Heritage Park – This is a large 9-acre outdoor area. It has real planes, rockets, missiles, cannons, and even the sail (top part) of a nuclear submarine.

• Nuclear Medicine – This display shows old and new medical tools that use nuclear physics.

• Little Albert's Lab – In this area, an animatronic (robot) version of Albert Einstein leads fun, hands-on science activities for kids.

• Nano – This interactive exhibit helps visitors imagine and discover the tiny world of nanoscience.

• Energy Encounter – This section focuses on how nuclear power is used for peaceful purposes. It covers:
  • The history of nuclear reactors and how they work.
  • Information about nuclear power accidents, safety, and how to store waste.
  • Models of nuclear power plants.
  • A model of the NS Savannah, the first nuclear-powered merchant ship.
  • Nuclear energy as one type of many ways to make energy.

• Radiation 101 – This display shows everyday items and activities that expose people to radiation.

• Atomic Pop Culture – This exhibit shows how American popular culture reacted to the start of the Atomic Age. It includes old movie items, comic books, and more.

• Nuclear Waste Transportation – This exhibit displays a special container called TruPact II. This container is used by the United States Department of Energy to transport certain types of nuclear waste.

• What's Up With U(ranium) – This exhibit helps answer questions like where uranium comes from, how it moves in the environment, and if it is radioactive.

• Uranium; Enriching Your Future – This exhibit explains how nuclear power helps the energy industry.

• Dark Cube: Heisenberg's Race for the Bomb – This special exhibit teaches about Nazi Germany's attempt to build an atomic weapon. It features a small, dark cube made of uranium metal that Nazi scientists used.

• Nuclear by Mail – This exhibit shows how nuclear science and technology appeared on stamps and other mail items in the 20th century.

• Temporary Exhibit Hall – This area is used for different exhibits that change over time.

You can explore the museum on your own, or a guide can lead you through the exhibits.

Special Items to See

The museum has many unique items, including:

• Copies of the "Little Boy" and "Fat Man" bombs.
• The only full-size copy of "The Gadget" (the first atomic device) and the Trinity Test Tower.
• Different types of modern nuclear bombs and warheads.
• A WE.177 bomb (a British nuclear weapon used until 1998).
• A Norden bombsight, a device used to aim bombs.
• Two actual B28 bomb casings from the Palomares incident.
• Items showing daily life at Los Alamos National Laboratory during the Manhattan Project.
• A collection of fun items and products that show how the Atomic Age influenced U.S. culture.
• An early X-ray device called a fluoroscope.
• A PRISM 2000 XP Gamma Camera, an example of modern nuclear imaging.
• A Lego model of Chicago Pile-1, the world's first nuclear reactor.
• A cube of uranium that the Nazis used in their attempt to build an atomic weapon.
• A large 260 mm M65 Atomic Cannon, also known as "Atomic Annie."

When the museum moved to Old Town, placing its Redstone rocket outside caused some discussion. Some people felt it showed too much military influence in the city. Others thought it was important to show New Mexico's role in the nuclear age. When the new museum opened, the Redstone rocket was moved to the Eubank site.

Aircraft on Display

Because the museum is near Kirtland Air Force Base, it has several important historical aircraft:

Type	Serial Number	Years of Service	Notes
Boeing B-29 Superfortress	45-21748	1945–19??	This plane was part of the 509th Bombardment Group. It was changed to carry nuclear weapons.
Boeing B-47E-111-BW	53-2280	1953–1970	This plane was used for flight testing new technology. It was moved to the museum in 2012.
Boeing RB-52B-10-BO	52-013	1953–1963	This specific plane dropped more than a dozen live nuclear bombs during tests. It is one of only seven RB-52s ever built.
F-105D-20-RE	61-0107	1962–1981	This plane was used by the 49th Tactical Fighter Wing. It was later used for training at Kirtland AFB.
F-16A Block 5	78-0050	1979–1997	This plane is painted in the colors of the New Mexico Air National Guard.
TA-7C Corsair II	64-17666	1968–1991	This plane flew in the Vietnam War.
Mig-21F Fishbed	74-2313	1975–19??	This plane used to belong to the Hungarian Air Force. It is displayed in Soviet Air Force colors.

Museum Leadership

In 2023, Jennifer Hayden became the President and CEO of the museum. She took over from Jim Walther, who led the museum for 26 years. A group of 23 trustees helps guide the museum. Famous people like Richard Rhodes have been honored as trustees.

Science Education and Activities

The museum offers educational programs all year for kids, teens, and adults. They have programs at the museum and also use a mobile lab called "Up'n'Atom Mobile" to visit other places. They help teachers learn how to teach science better.

The museum also hosts guest speakers, special events, and week-long science camps in the summer. You can even rent space at the museum for birthdays, weddings, or other events.

See also

• American Museum of Science and Energy
• Bradbury Science Museum
• National Atomic Testing Museum