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Cultural Scene and Heard: Duck and Cover – The National Atomic Testing Museum
By Mike Sweeney
For good or bad, the development of the atomic bomb was a landmark moment in American history, one in which the state of Nevada played a key role. During the 1950s, mushroom clouds were visible for over 100 miles during above ground atomic explosions conducted at the Nevada Test Site. It’s fitting, then, that Las Vegas now plays home to the National Atomic Testing Museum, a travelogue through the legendary chronicles and ominous wonder of the nuclear age.
Ground Zero
Presented in association with the Smithsonian, the museum paints a vivid picture of life in the shadow of the bomb, from President Truman’s establishment of the Nevada Test Site in 1950 to the superpower arms race to the development of new technologies such as nuclear reactors. Foreboding photos of mushroom clouds, nostalgic literature, and casings from nuclear weapons bring the bygone days to life, along with artifacts such as Geiger counters and atomic age toys and games. Take time to hear the reflections of those who worked in the field and former employees of the Nevada Test Site, which helps place a human face on the historic undertaking. More stoic are the faces of the fully dressed mannequins on display, just like the ones meant to measure the bomb’s effects on humans. You can feel the power for yourself at the Ground Zero Theatre, where you’re in the viewer’s seat for a sensory experience that simulates a nuclear test.
An important part of the museum’s ambiance is creating a sense of historical perspective. A detailed timeline stretches throughout the halls, illustrating how significant events in nuclear testing lined up alongside milestones in politics, entertainment, and pop culture. Follow the history of testing as it begins above ground, moves beneath the surface, and then disappears altogether from the American landscape as new applications emerge. The Cold War expands before your eyes as fears over Soviet dominance give rise to nuclear proliferation, but as years pass, former enemies come together to sign test ban treaties. We also get a look at the Nevada Test Site’s role in the modern era, which includes the training of emergency response teams, a vital mission in a world where the threat of terrorism looms larger than Iron Curtain animosity.
This Land is Your Land
While the museum places its primary focus on the atomic age, there is much more to learn about the physical area that includes the Nevada Test Site. The “Stewards of the Land” galleries detail the unique geological history of the location and allow visitors to study the environmental impact of nuclear testing on natural elements such as faults, rock strata and aquifers. Other displays seek to educate guests on radioactive contamination and the effect it has on important factors such as water sources and waste management. Delve deeper into the land’s history with a captivating look at the area’s indigenous people, the Paiute and Shoshone, along with a study of the early settlers who made a living as miners and ranchers long before the sounds of man-made thunder.
Little Green Men
The museum hosts temporary exhibitions in the Harry Reid Exhibit Hall, where you’ll currently find “Area 51: Myth or Reality,” which provides an in-depth look at one of the more fascinating and controversial aspects of Nevada lore. After a televised “briefing” from a shady secret agent, you’ll proceed into the exhibit hall, full of atmosphere with its maze-like interior cloaked in dark fabrics and eerie glowing lights. The displays cover all aspects of the enigmatic “Dreamland” itself, along with everything from military flight history to far-reaching endeavors such as the Voyager probe to rumors of alien encounters like the Roswell crash and the infamous “alien autopsy” film. There’s even a section on local investigative reporter and UFO enthusiast George Knapp. Whether you choose to “believe” or not, it’s an entertaining mystery to investigate.
The marvel of the atomic age may be nothing but a phantom of the past, but the influence and significance of that period in history has stayed with us and still shapes our lives to this day. While the saga of Southern Nevada will always be dominated by memories of gangsters and gambling, the National Atomic Testing Museum reminds us that the Silver State helped shape the cultural landscape of modern America, creating an enduring legacy for future generations.
For more information on the National Atomic Testing Museum, visit www.nationalatomictestingmuseum.org.
