News Release

Manhattan Project National Historical Park Announces New Public Program “Beyond the Bomb: Stories of the Atomic Age”

NPS

News Release Date: July 1, 2025

Contact: Manhattan Project NHP, [phone]

Oak Ridge, Tennessee: Manhattan Project National Historical Park, in partnership with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), will be hosting a new free public program titled “Beyond the Bomb: Stories of the Atomic Age” on Thursday July 24 at 2 pm ET. Utilizing the rich history and museum collection of the ORAU Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, this program will dive into atomic culture and innovations in medicine sparked by the Manhattan Project and expanded during the atomic age. Participants will have the unique opportunity to explore the Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, not regularly open to the public.

“Visitors will explore the culture-changing impact of the Manhattan Project, from nuclear medicine pioneered by Manhattan Project scientists in Oak Ridge, to early hope for an atomic future. Until recently this vast collection was mostly seen by nuclear professionals. The park is committed to increasing opportunities for the public, and we are excited to work with ORAU to share this history,” said Oak Ridge Site Manager Niki Stephanie Nicholas. 

The Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity began in the 1980s, as ORAU health physicist Paul Frame began collecting relevant artifacts for hands-on use and demonstrations in ORAU’s Professional Training Programs. What started with radiation instruments has grown to include historically significant artifacts, atomic novelties, and consumer items like atomic toy guns marketed to children in the 1950-60s. The collection has been available for the public to view online since the early 2000s. With ORAU’s training programs recent relocation to the Pollard Center on the ORAU main campus, the Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity had the opportunity to be open to the community for the first time. The Museum is located at 100 ORAU Way, Oak Ridge, Tennessee 37830. For more information, please contact Manhattan Project National Historical Park’s Oak Ridge office at [phone].