A Y-12 National Security Complex documentary called "A Nuclear Family" is now available online.
An award-winning Y-12 National Security Complex documentary that aired on public television earlier this year is now available online.
The four-part miniseries is called “A Nuclear Family: Y-12 National Security Complex,” and it was broadcast by East Tennessee Public Broadcasting System.
The documentary was conceived and produced by Y‑12 Historian Ray Smith and Y‑12 Video Services, a press release said.
“It gives viewers never-before-seen glimpses into the world-changing work done in Oak Ridge, Tennessee,” the release said.
The miniseries begins by describing how lives of East Tennesseans changed after the United States declared war following the December 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, the release said. It also explores the contribution Oak Ridge and Y-12 made to help win World War II and meet Cold War challenges. It ends with Y-12’s response to the emerging terrorism threat.
The miniseries helps fulfill the National Historic Preservation Act’s requirements to interpret the history of U.S. Department of Energy sites, and it has already won two awards. Episodes one and two were submitted to the 45th Worldfest Independent International Film Festival held in Houston in April. Both won a platinum Remi, an award that recognizes the creative genius of artist Frederic Remington, the release said.
A DVD set of the four episodes will be available at the Y-12 History Center starting in June. There are plans to also include a DVD of footage not used in the edited episodes.
Schools, libraries, and interested individuals may request complimentary copies of the DVD set by contacting Y-12 historian Ray Smith by email at [email protected].
East Tennessee PBS plans to rebroadcast the four episodes back-to-back in July. PBS is also considering airing the miniseries throughout Tennessee and possibly nationally, the press release said.
