los alamos historical museum

620ChrisL

We hadn't discovered this hidden gem on our previous visit. There is no charge for this museum and it is chock full of information regarding the prehistoric Indian culture, the boy's ranch era along with the whole atomic piece that made Los Alamos what it is today.

msbeee

We stopped here to get our Christmas tree permit in December, and took a look around the museum. It was pretty interesting, interactive which is perfect for tactile learners. Lots of little rooms to look in. A perfect stop for the history buff, or someone looking to do something out of the ordinary on an early afternoon.

DarrellAnne

It doesn't look like much from the outside but is truly a gem. We learned so much about the town and its history as well as about the Manhattan Project. The art/gift shop was great too. It was one of only two places I bought items to bring home. They pointed us to the Bradbury Science Museum and a tour leaving from there which were wonderful. Don't miss these sites.

DB510

Interesting walk through the lodge to understand the historic background of the Los Alamos laboratory and life during the important periods of Los Alamos history. Gift shop within it and an even nicer one across the lawn from the museum.

505QueenBee

The museum is small, but packed with information! The staff was very knowledgeable and friendly.Be sure to walk around the garden and along 'bathtub row' while you are there. Close by you will find the library with lots of additional information and the Bradbury science museum (don't miss this one and allow a couple of hours there). Hopefully you will make time to hike along the rim too -- beautiful scenery! Enjoy!

IsaacS310

From the front, it looks tiny, but you will be amazed at how much they cram into this little house. Very informative and well put together.

523marissab

Although this is pretty small there was still a lot to read and learn from about the history of Los Alamos. There was a small dress up station and a "scientist" station for the kids. They could also try to grind corn and make and look at animal "footprints" in the sand. So our young kids really enjoyed it. It is in the middle of the historic walk, which is pretty short but interesting (great for kids!). I would recommend this, especially since it's free.

mngirlTU

I learned a lot about the history of Los Alamos and its surroundings from the time before the lab was set up there up to after the second world war. There was also an exhibit by a local artist there which I found I liked.

dbinhou7511

The museum is housed an original building from when Los Alamos was the location of a boy' school. The museum follows the history of the area from its original native inhabitants to the boy's school, and then when Los Alamos became the center of nuclear energy research in World War II. The display aren't glitzy, but they are informative. Guests can really discover what it was like to be in Los Alamos when it was the school, a closed city, and later at the beginning of the atomic age. While small, it was definitely worth the visit. The gift shop contains a number of books dealing with different aspects of Los Alamos through history.

PamelaH752

This tiny museum showcases the history and geology of Los Alamos, from the time of the native peoples through the 20th century. Much attention is given to the Manhattan Project, which was based on the grounds of a boy's school. The history of the school is interesting in its own right; it emphasized outdoor activity and physical exercise as well as academics. The museum includes documentation, photographs, and artifacts about the Manhattan Project. We learned about daily life among the scientists and soldiers who worked at the site. The scientists often brought their wives and families, so the area became a true (if top-secret) community. There were schools, grocery stores, entertainment, medical services, etc. Electricity and water were erratic, and there were definite hardships, especially for people accustomed to city life. But many residents appreciated the natural beauty of the area. The museum features a reproduction of a typical small house where the scientists would live; modest but adequate. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly, so be sure to ask questions.

luciad54

From the outside the place looks tiny and you think, "a museum? Really?" What's inside is wow-worthy. It covers an unknown history of our country, and gives you a view of what it was really like to live in this isolated top secret village. It presents a surprisingly complete geologic history of the area, the wildlife, the prehistoric cultures, the Spanish explorers and settlers, the Homesteaders, the Los Alamos Ranch School --you'd be surprised who was a student there, and the Manhattan Project. There are a couple of room set-ups showing what housing was typically like at the time of the Manhattan Project (don't miss the cot room with the Family Radiation Detection Kit on the wall). This is a serious museum with serious stuff. It also has correspondence enlarged (so you can read it), by people invited to join the Manhattan Project; photos from the homesteading period through post-Manhatten project. It's surprisingly interesting. The book store is terrific, and probably the best resource for the Manhattan Project reading. This museum is well worth the stop. Highly recommended.

June_Boys

Our family of four (including young Developmentally Disabled child in a wheelchair and science and history enthusiast nine year-old) had a great little visit to this great little museum. It's ADA Accessible (a plus!) and well laid-out. The setting is also gorgeous and adds to the overall appeal and history. It's a relatively brief time investment and so recommended.

Umbear

Small and unassuming museum from the outside, but pulls you into the Manhatten Project and our atomic bomb history. Has everything from the geological history to copy of Einstein letter to the President letting him know that this was critical to the development of a new type of weapon that the Germans were already developing in WWII.

OldDogsTour

We loved this one. Compared to the Bradbury, this one is smaller and, in several respects better curated and better laid out. Yes, the material is different, and both museums are excellent, so be sure to see both.

fulkersond

As one reviewer put it, "Amazing collection frozen in time." Put aside whether you agree or disagree with nuclear weapons or not, this museum effectively informs the visitor what happened there, why it happened, and the sacrifices both workers and families made in the race to develop an atomic bomb before our enemies did during WWII. Coincidentally, we happen to be their when a free walking tour was offered. Walking through some of the original buildings was absolutely fascinating!