See The Museum

Exhibits

The exhibits at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History provide an objective, accessible window into the past, present, and future of nuclear science. They cover everything from the very origins of atomic theory, the complexity of the political scenarios contributing to World War II, the height of the Cold War, to modern-day advances in nuclear medicine – and even begin to speculate about the future of this fascinating and exciting field. The Museum gives its visitors a memorable and vivid understanding of nuclear science and history.

Whether the exhibition is permanent or temporary, there is always something to see and learn at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History!

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BUFF: The B-52 Story - Coming June 8

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History will tell the story of the longest serving aircraft in United States military in the special exhibition, “BUFF: The B-52 Story,” on display June 8 through December 29, 2019

Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service’s (SITES) “Things Come Apart” Exhibition

Look inside the evolutions of the smartphone and dozens of other everyday technologies in this special exhibition that displays the complex parts that have spurred revolutions in product design and functionality in "Things Come Apart", January 19 through May 5, 2019.

What’s Up With U

"What's Up With U(ranium)" is now on permanent display at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, engaging visitors of all ages while answering questions such as where does uranium come from, how does it move through the environment, how does it affect us and is it radioactive.

Critical Assembly, the Secrets of Los Alamos 1944: An Installation by Jim Sanborn

A special exhibition where visitors will step back in time to a pivotal point in history, and experience pure science through pure art. Explore and study the recreations of the super secrets from the Manhattan Project's atomic bomb in this mesmerizing exhibit.

Heritage Park

Complete with planes, rockets, missiles, cannons and nuclear sub sail, this exhibit will attract plane buffs and historians alike.

Nuclear Medicine

See the history of nuclear medicine and how it contributed to the advancement of medical technology.

Nano

"Nano: Imagine and discover the world you can't see" is an exhibit about big ideas that come from the small world of nanoscience.

Nuclear Waste Transportation

This exhibit features how radioactive waste is managed in a safe way.

Energy Encounter

Examine the options of green energy alternatives like solar and wind power along with the place nuclear power has in the world today.

Uranium; Enriching Your Future

The exhibit features interactive exhibits helping the visitor discover the place nuclear power has in our energy hungry world.

Radiation 101

Get the basic facts about radiation in this exhibit.

Hiroshima and Nagasaki

While the atomic bomb brought the war to a close, the after-effects of the bomb were felt for years in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Cold War

In this exhibit, visitors will learn how close we came to another war before the end of the Cold War.

Atomic Culture/ Pop Culture

Every visitor will be entertained while viewing the cultural items surrounding the dawning of the Atomic Age!

Little Albert’s Lab

The future belongs to the children of today. Little Albert’s Lab will help children of all ages grasp the concepts of physics, the basis of all sciences.

Decision to Drop

It is said that the dawn of the Atomic Age began with the testing of the world’s first atomic bomb. This exhibit will show visitors just how much influence over the modern world this test created.

Pioneers of the Atom

Visitors will step back in time to meet the individuals who influenced the nuclear world.

In Partnership with the Atomic Heritage Foundation

The Atomic Heritage Foundation and the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History have forged a new partnership to preserve the history of the Manhattan Project and the Atomic Age. This significant agreement ensures the Atomic Heritage Foundation’s extensive collection of oral histories, interpretive vignettes, and articles about the Manhattan Project and its legacy will remain available to the public for the foreseeable future.

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Nuclear After Dark - October 4

Experience the Nuclear Museum after-hours, enjoy local food trucks and brewery, be entertained with live music and watch an outdoor showing of the 45-minute History Channel's documentary, "Modern Marvels, The Manhattan Project.

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BUFF: The B-52 Story - June 8 through December 29

Join us as we tell the story of the longest-serving aircraft in United States military in the special exhibition, “BUFF: The B-52 Story,” on display June 8 through December 29, 2019. This temporary exhibition explores this iconic Boeing aircraft’s past, present and future as an American strategic bomber.

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