The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, established in 1969, offers a compelling journey through the story of the Atomic Age—from the earliest research in nuclear development to today’s peaceful applications of nuclear technology. Visitors are invited to explore how nuclear science continues to shape our world.

Through a dynamic mix of permanent and rotating exhibits, the museum showcases the diverse uses of nuclear science across history, industry, medicine, and energy. It also honors the pioneers whose work has defined the field, presenting their stories in engaging and accessible ways.

As a Smithsonian Affiliate and an institution accredited by the American Alliance of Museums, the museum upholds the highest standards of excellence in education, preservation, and public engagement.

Brief History

The creation of the Museum in 1969 was the result of a six-year effort to establish a museum to tell the story of the base and the development of nuclear weapons. The Museum was located on Kirtland Air Force Base. In 1973, the museum's name was changed to the National Atomic Museum to reflect the growing national and international audience and the fact that it was the only public museum that preserved the nuclear industry's history. The Museum closed its doors at the Kirtland Air Force Base in New Mexico on September 11, 2001, due to heightened security measures. The National Atomic Museum was in its rented Old Town location from May 11, 2002, to February 7, 2009; the Museum re-opened in its current location in southeast Albuquerque in April 2009, renamed The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

Mission

The Museum’s mission is “to serve as America’s resource for nuclear history and science. The Museum presents exhibits and quality educational programs that convey the diversity of individuals and events that shape the historical and technical context of the nuclear age.”

Partnership with the Atomic Heritage Foundation

With an agreement signed on June 24, 2019, the Atomic Heritage Foundation and the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History 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 (Voices of the Manhattan Project), interpretive vignettes (Ranger in Your Pocket), and articles about the Manhattan Project and its legacy will remain available to the public for the foreseeable future.