Atomic Museum

Useful Information

Location:	755, East Flamingo Road, Midtown UNLV, Paradise, Clark County, Nevada, 89119. (36.11398, -115.14839)
Open:	All year daily 10-17, last entry 16. Closed Thanksgiving, 25-DEC, 01-JAN. [2024]
Fee:	Adults USD 29, Nevada Residents USD 25, Children (7-17) USD 15, Children (0-6) free, Seniors (65+) 27, Military USD 27. Audioguides USD 6. [2024]
Classification:	Secret Bunker
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:
Guided tours:	self guided, D=1-2 h.
Photography:	allowed
Accessibility:	yes
Bibliography:	Peter Kuran (2006): How to Photograph an Atomic Bomb, .
Address:	National Atomic Testing Museum, 755, East Flamingo Road, Midtown UNLV, Paradise, Clark County, Nevada, 89119, Tel: +1-702-409-7366. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1951	beginning of nuclear tests in Nevada.
MAR-2005	museum opened to the public.
31-DEC-2011	affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution.

Description

The Atomic Museum, the full name is National Atomic Testing Museum, is located in the Frank H. Rogers Science & Technology Building on the northern edge of the university district. It is operated by the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, a non-profit association, which is an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institution, which explains the high quality of the museum. The only thing they were a little too sober with was the name, which was simply too dry and long for the audience in Las Vegas and was therefore shortened it to Atomic Museum. The topic of the museum is the different aspects of the atomic bomb which directly influenced the state Nevada, which includes development, construction, and testing of the bomb. In the 1950s and 1960s the state was used several times for tests, which caused radiation in the biosphere. The tests were executed at the Nevada Test Site (NTS), which is today called the Nevada National Security Site, is located some 100 km northwest of Las Vegas.

Additionally, the cultural aspects in the U.S.A. are explained, which includes the prep-subculture, people preparing for atomic war by building a bunker and hoarding supplies. And so the museum has an underground bunker, which is part of the exhibition. Even the entrance to the museum is a bunker tunnel with a circular concrete tube in natural rock.

Another fun fact is the exhibition which was opened in 2012, named Area 51: Myth or Reality. It immediately became very popular, as it is the only place that has a comprehensive knowledge of Area 51. Former employees of America's top secret military base talk about declassified projects. They also do not have information on top secret stuff, and though they tell about the rumours they are not able to actually give answers. Nevertheless, it's the most informative source on Area 51 which exists.