Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Manhattan Project National Historical Park spreads across three locations in Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, and Hanford, documenting the nuclear research facilities from World War II. The sites preserve buildings, laboratories, and production plants that played a central role in developing the first atomic bombs.

The three sites emerged between 1942 and 1943 as part of a secret government program to develop nuclear weapons. By the end of the war in 1945, tens of thousands of people worked here on uranium enrichment, reactor design, and weapon production.

The park maintains original buildings, technical equipment, and personal objects that reveal the daily experiences of the personnel involved in this scientific endeavor.

Guided tours are available at all three locations, with each site showing different aspects of research and production. Visits often require advance registration since some areas remain security zones or are actively used for other purposes.

Oak Ridge still houses what was once the largest building in the world, constructed for uranium separation processes. The remote locations were deliberately chosen in sparsely populated regions to shield the project from espionage and potential accidents.

Location: Oak Ridge

Location: Los Alamos

Location: Hanford

Inception: November 10, 2015

Website: https://nps.gov/mapr

GPS coordinates: 35.93540,-84.39333

Latest update: December 20, 2025 13:41