American Museum of Science and Energy

The American Museum of Science and Energy in Oak Ridge is a science museum that displays technology and research from the 20th century. Visitors encounter interactive exhibits about nuclear energy, physics, and scientific breakthroughs that they can experience firsthand.

The museum traces its roots to 1949 when it opened as an atomic energy institution housed in a former wartime cafeteria. It now covers the scientific work of the 1940s era and how those efforts shaped modern research and technology.

The museum explains how Oak Ridge became a center for American science and technology after World War II, and why this place matters for the nation's development. The exhibits reveal stories of the workers and researchers who shaped the country's future through their contributions here.

The museum is located in Oak Ridge and accessible by car with parking available on-site. Plan to spend several hours exploring the exhibits and participating in the interactive demonstrations throughout the building.

The museum houses a working Van de Graaff generator that allows visitors to directly experience the power of static electricity. This machine makes abstract physics concepts tangible through firsthand experience.

Location: Tennessee

Inception: 1949

Address: 115 E Main St, Oak Ridge, TN 37830

Phone: +(865)2944531

Website: http://amse.org

GPS coordinates: 36.01274,-84.25276

Latest update: December 8, 2025 19:57