K-25 historic preservation the subject of Thursday lecture

 

The project to preserve the history of the former K-25 Building, once the world’s largest building under one roof, will be discussed during a Thursday evening lecture in Oak Ridge.

It’s the opening of the 18th Annual Dick Smyser Community Lecture Series. It’s jointly sponsored by Friends of ORNL and the Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association.

The presentation will provide an update on the K-25 historic preservation efforts by the U.S. Department of Energy Environmental Management, a press release said.

The lecture is free, and it will be held at the American Museum of Science and Energy at 300 South Tulane Avenue in Oak Ridge. A reception will be held in the museum lobby starting at 5:30 p.m. (snacks will be served), and the lecture starts at 6 p.m. in the museum auditorium.

“This talk should be of interest to the general public,” the release said.

Karen Doughty, the manager responsible for the preservation of K-25’s history will personally present the design elements that are being considered to interpret that enormous history of gaseous diffusion, the release said. The historic K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant housed a key process created during the Manhattan Project, the top-secret program to build the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II.

The plant produced enriched uranium used in the nation’s nuclear weapons and the U.S. Navy’s ships as well as the uranium used in nuclear power reactors.

The K-25 Building is located at the East Tennessee Technology Park’s Heritage Center in west Oak Ridge. It’s the focal point of an interpretation that will also become a part of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park.

“Both the Friends of ORNL and ORHPA welcome your attendance at this first of what we hope will be many collaborative efforts,” the release said. “Both organizations encourage you to become an active participant in the future efforts to define our unique Oak Ridge history as the Manhattan Project National Historical Park is being created. Now is an opportune time for becoming engaged in these organizations.”