National Park Service Visitor Center and Offices to Move to Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge Later This Year

Date: June 16, 2017
Contact: Christopher Derman, [phone]

With the advent of the closing of the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE), the National Park Service will be moving the Manhattan Project National Historical Park’s visitor center and offices in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, in October. 

“We have been so fortunate to have been based at AMSE for the first 18 months of this new national historical park. The staff and volunteers have been outstanding partners providing space and back-up support with all of our activities,” said Superintendent Kris Kirby. “We consider the entire city of Oak Ridge to be part of the park and will continue to offer programming in multiple locations throughout the area.”

The park’s new visitor center will be co-located with the Children’s Museum of Oak Ridge (CMOR). CMOR is located in a former Manhattan Project era elementary school and operates in 54,000 square feet with exhibits, classes, and programs for all ages. 

“The Children’s Museum shares the National Park Service’s mission of educating children and the community. It’s a great opportunity for the museum to join the National Park Service in presenting the history of Oak Ridge,” said Tom Beehan, President of the CMOR Board of Trustees.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park is administered jointly by the Department of Energy and the National Park Service to preserve portions of three World War II sites where the United States developed the first atomic weapons. The park marks the history of the people, science, and events that led to creation of the atomic bomb in the top-secret project and explores the associated moral and ethical responsibilities that are still relevant today.