Manhattan Project pioneers
Sixty-two years ago next Monday (July 16) scientists working at the secret Project Y in Los Alamos successfully tested the world’s first atomic bomb in the desert near White Sands, New Mexico.
To commemorate the anniversary of the Trinity Test, and recognize the pioneers who worked on the Manhattan Project effort in Los Alamos, the Bradbury Science Museum opens a new exhibit Monday called, "They Changed the World: The People of Project Y at Los Alamos, 1943-1945," a collection of portraits by noted Santa Fe photographer aj Melnick.
The exhibit is the result of Melnick’s efforts to find and photograph as many local people as she could who had worked on “the Hill" during the war years.
In her search for subjects Melnick found technicians, scientists, engineers, housekeepers, wives, WACs, clerks, secretaries, a teacher, young students, and photographers, each of whom had their own personal stories to tell. Believing that their stories should be preserved, Melnick recorded them as well as the images of her subjects. “Talking with these people introduced me to a group of amazingly vibrant and interesting people who exhibit a rare spirit,” said Melnick.
A reception will be held from 4:30-6:30 p.m., at the museum and the public is invited. Attendees will include some of the Manhattan Project pioneers featured in the exhibit, which runs through January 8, 2008.
Visitors to the museum also will want to see the newly renovated Manhattan Project section of the History Wall, which includes a new, interactive kiosk, “People of the Manhattan Project at Los Alamos.” Visitors can browse through short, illustrated biographies of many of those who worked on Project Y, from scientists to spies to find out more about the people and history of Project Y.
The museum is open seven days a week except for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday and 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday and Monday. Admission is free.
For more information or to contact the museum, call 7-4444.
The Bradbury Science Museum is part of the Laboratory’s Community Programs Office (CPO).
