RICHLAND, Wash. – A new program at the Manhattan Project Visitors Center, titled “Atomic Explorations,” is set to offer an in-depth look at the people, science, and history behind the atomic bomb.
The program provides insights into the creation of the atomic bomb and its significant impact on history.
The hour-long sessions will run Monday through Thursday and again on Saturdays, starting at 2:30 p.m. Program topics will vary each day throughout the week, on a repeating weekly basis. Becky Burghart with the Manhattan Project National Historic Park explains what makes the program different.
“Our summer programming traditionally has really focused on a younger, more family-centered audience. And these programs are definitely family friendly as well, but it’s an opportunity to kind of delve into different topics that we haven’t explored in the past,” Burghart said.
This year, the B-Reactor tours are closed due to a major construction project at the site. Burghart said this is the first time ranger programs are available at the visitors center.
“Hanford produced the plutonium that was used in the Fat Man bomb dropped in Nagasaki, Japan. This year marks the 80th anniversary of the atomic bombings of Japan,” Burghart said. “Those bombings forever put Hanford in the history books and connected with Nagasaki. And that’s really important history, because this dawned the nuclear age, this was the world’s first atomic weapon, the Manhattan Project produced.”
All sessions are free and open to the public. Programs start on Monday, June 2 and will be offered through Saturday, September 6.
The park visitor center is located at 2000 Logston Blvd in Richland.
