Atomic Museum marks 20 years of education

The NNSS, about 65 miles north of Las Vegas, was the site of nuclear weapons testing between 1951 and 1992. A total of 1,032 atmospheric or underground nuclear tests were carried out there, which, as noted by the museum, “played a pivotal role in shaping American history, science, and culture.” The museum itself “stands as a gateway to understanding this legacy—preserving the stories and innovations that defined a transformative era.”

Exhibits and activities: The Atomic Museum has numerous exhibits, collections, and learning activities that offer lessons of the past and the present to better understand the extent and effect of nuclear testing on worldwide nuclear deterrence and geopolitical history. Its 8,000 square feet of space contains exhibits like a large nuclear reactor that was used in the development of the nuclear rocket and the first air-to-air missile and portable atomic weapons that were developed to use in place of conventional weapons, such as the Backpack Nuke and the Crockett XM-388 projectile.

Additional artifacts represent other aspects of U.S. national security history, including a piece of the Berlin Wall with celebratory graffiti painted by Berliners when the wall came down and two pieces of the World Trade Center that signify the beginning of the global war on terror.

The museum also plays a role in training first responders from across the nation who come to learn about the nuclear materials that terrorists might use.

Eventful year: The museum has had a busy year. It opened a new immersive “Atomic Odyssey” exhibit that has reached almost 1,950 participants through educational programming and has welcomed students from more than 30 schools, including universities in the United Kingdom and Japan.

It also hosted STEM Saturdays with the NNSS, partnered with the Desert Research Institute for an activity called “May the Science Be With You,” participated in the Las Vegas Science & Technology Festival, and conducted outreach at the Center for the Arts at Kayenta.

About: The Atomic Museum is operated and maintained by the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, and it is an affiliate partner of the Smithsonian Institution.