• About
    • About Us
    • What We Cover
  • Advertise
    • Advertise
    • Our Advertisers
  • Contact
  • Donate
  • Send News

Oak Ridge Today

  • Home
  • Sign in
  • News
    • Business
    • Community
    • Education
    • Government
    • Health
    • Police and Fire
    • U.S. Department of Energy
    • Weather
  • Sports
    • High School
    • Middle School
    • Recreation
    • Rowing
    • Youth
  • Entertainment
    • Arts
    • Dancing
    • Movies
    • Music
    • Television
    • Theater
  • Premium Content
  • Obituaries
  • Classifieds

HonorAir Flight brings Manhattan Project veterans from Oak Ridge to DC

Posted at 1:33 pm May 8, 2017
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Honor Flight 2017 Manhattan Project Veterans Velva Irwin Hugh Barnett Sarah Archer Louise Keaton

On April 5, 2017, Atomic Heritage Foundation staff enjoyed meeting four Manhattan Project veterans from Oak Ridge who participated in an HonorAir Flight Knoxville program. The veterans were Velva Irwin, Hugh Barnett, Sarah Archer, and Louise Keaton. (Photo courtesy Atomic Heritage Foundation)

 

Story and photos courtesy Atomic Heritage Foundation

On April 5, 2017, Atomic Heritage Foundation (AHF) staff enjoyed meeting four Manhattan Project veterans from Oak Ridge who participated in an HonorAir Flight Knoxville program. The veterans were Velva Irwin, Hugh Barnett, Sarah Archer, and Louise Keaton.

Honor Flights, organized by nonprofits around the country, bring World War II, Korean War, and Vietnam War veterans to Washington, D.C., to visit the national memorials that pay tribute to their sacrifices. This flight, the 23rd organized by HonorAir Knoxville, carried more than 130 veterans from East Tennessee, including 22 World War II veterans. After arriving in Washington, D.C., the veterans visited the United States Air Force Memorial, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the Lincoln Memorial, the National World War II Memorial, the Marine Corps Memorial, and Arlington National Cemetery.

AHF’s Cindy Kelly, Alexandra Levy, and Nathaniel Weisenberg met the veterans after they came off the bus at the National World War II Memorial. The AHF enjoyed speaking with Hugh, Velva, Sarah, and Louise about their Manhattan Project experiences. The organization took photographs and presented each of them with a Manhattan Project National Historical Park T-shirt featuring Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Front Page News Tagged With: Alexandra Levy, Atomic Heritage Foundation, Cindy Kelly, HonorAir, HonorAir Flight, HonorAir Knoxville, Hugh Barnett, Louise Keaton, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Nathaniel Weisenberg, National World War II Memorial, Sarah Archer, Velva Irwin, World War II

Foundation led efforts to create Manhattan Project Park

Posted at 12:47 am November 11, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

Cindy-Kelly-Victor-Knox-Stephanie-Toothman-Nov-10-2015

AHF President Cindy Kelly with NPS Associate Directors Victor Knox and Stephanie Toothman. (Photo by Atomic Heritage Foundation)

 

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The Atomic Heritage Foundation on Tuesday welcomed the official establishment of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park with units at Los Alamos, New Mexico; Hanford, Washington; and Oak Ridge, Tennessee. In a ceremony at the Interior Department on Tuesday morning, U.S. Secretary of Energy Ernie Moniz and Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell signed an agreement that defines the respective roles of the Department of Energy and the National Park Service in implementing the new park, a press release said.

“Today is a milestone for Manhattan Project history,” said Foundation President Cynthia C. Kelly, who attended the ceremony along with the Foundation’s staff. “For more than a decade, the Atomic Heritage Foundation and our partners have been working to preserve Manhattan Project sites and create the park. The national park is long overdue and will provide Americans with an important opportunity to understand the Manhattan Project and its complex legacy for the world today.”

The sites of the Manhattan Project Park “are among the world’s most significant places, where work was done that changed the human world forever,” said Richard Rhodes, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of “The Making of the Atomic Bomb” and a member of the Foundation’s Board of Directors. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, Federal, Front Page News, Government, Nonprofits, Oak Ridge, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: AHF, Atomic Heritage Foundation, Cindy Kelly, Cynthia C. Kelly, Ernie Moniz, Hanford, Hiroshima, Interior Department, Lamar Alexander, Los Alamos, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Maria Cantwell, Martin Heinrich, memorandum of agreement, Nagasaki, National Park Service, NPS, Oak Ridge, Richard Rhodes, Sally Jewell, Stephanie Toothman, Tom Udall, U.S. Department of Energy, Victor Knox

Atomic Heritage meets with Japanese mayors to discuss Manhattan Project park

Posted at 9:06 am May 8, 2015
By Oak Ridge Today Staff Leave a Comment

AHF Meets with Nagasaki and Hiroshima Mayors

AHF President Cindy Kelly with Nagasaki Mayor Tomahisa Taue on her right and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui on her left. (Photo by AHF)

 

The Atomic Heritage Foundation, the nonprofit organization that worked for 15 years to create a Manhattan Project national park, met with the mayors of Hiroshima and Nagasaki this month to discuss how the story of the atomic bomb will be interpreted.

The meeting, which was held at the Institute of International Education at the United Nations Plaza in New York City, marked a “positive first step in opening a dialogue with the Japanese, whose input will be important to the interpretation of the new park,” a press release said. In addition to the two mayors, the Atomic Heritage Foundation also met with Japanese local government officials.

The Manhattan Project was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first nuclear weapons during World War II. The Manhattan Project National Historical Park will include Oak Ridge; Los Alamos, New Mexico; and Hanford, Washington.

The meeting in New York City on Friday, May 1, began with opening remarks from Nagasaki Mayor Tomahisa Taue and Hiroshima Mayor Kazumi Matsui, who described the suffering of those affected by the atomic bombing, a press release said. They expressed hope that interpretation of the new Manhattan Project Park would not end with the dropping of the bomb but also “focus on what happened under the mushroom cloud.”

The United States dropped one bomb over Hiroshima, Japan, on August 6, 1945, and a second over Nagasaki on August 9, 1945. Japan surrendered a few days later. Uranium for the first weapon, code-named “Little Boy,” was enriched at federal sites in Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, East Tennessee Technology Park, Federal, Front Page News, Government, Nonprofits, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: AHF, Alexander Inn, atomic bomb, Atomic Heritage Foundation, bomb, Building 9204-3, Cindy Kelly, Cynthia Kelly, Graphite Reactor, Hanford, hibakusha, Hiroshima, Hiroshima Peace Culture Foundation, Institute of International Education, Japan, Japan Confederation of A- and H- bomb Sufferers, K-25 Building, Kazumi Matsui, Little Boy, Los Alamos, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Nagasaki, Nagasaki Global Citizens’ Assembly for the Elimination of Nuclear Weapons, national park, National Park Service, nuclear weapons, Oak Ridge, Sueichi Kido, Tomahisa Taue, U.S. Department of Energy, World War II

U.S. House passes Manhattan Project park bill that includes Oak Ridge

Posted at 3:01 pm December 4, 2014
By John Huotari 2 Comments

U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander

Lamar Alexander

U.S. Representative Chuck Fleischmann

Chuck Fleischmann

Note: This story was last updated at 8:30 p.m.

WASHINGTON, D.C.—The U.S. House of Representatives has passed a bill that would create a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that would include Oak Ridge, federal officials said Thursday afternoon.

Passage of the bill, pursued for years by historic preservationists, was announced by U.S. Senator Lamar Alexander and Representative Chuck Fleischmann, both Tennessee Republicans. It was an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, which passed in a 300-119 vote.

The bill would designate three sites that were part of the World War II-era Manhattan Project. Besides Oak Ridge, the sites include Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Hanford, Washington. The U.S. Senate is expected to pass the 2015 NDAA legislation without amendments before adjourning for the Christmas recess, perhaps as early as next week, according to the Atomic Heritage Foundation, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that has helped lead efforts to establish the park for more than a decade.

The Manhattan Project was a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs. Oak Ridge sites that would be included in the park are the Beta-3 racetracks and Alpha Calutron magnets at Y-12 National Security Complex and the K-25 Building site at the East Tennessee Technology Park. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Federal, Government, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: AHF, Alpha Calutron magnets, atomic bomb, Atomic Heritage Foundation, B Reactor, Ben Ray Lujan, Beta-3 racetracks, Bob Corker, Chuck Fleischmann, Cindy Kelly, D. Ray Smith, Doc Hastings, DOE, Don Barger, East Tennessee Technology Park, Energy Communities Alliance, Gary Petersen, Hanford, Heather McClenahan, historic preservation, historic properties, Interior, Jeff Bingaman, K-25 Building, Lamar Alexander, Los Alamos, Los Alamos Historical Society, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Maria Cantwell, Martin Heinrich, National Defense Authorization Act, national park, National Park Service, National Parks Conservation Association, National Trust for Historic Preservation, NDAA, NPCA, Oak Ridge, Patty Murray, Pete Domenici, Stephanie Toothman, Tom Udall, Tri-City Development Council, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. House, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, World War II, Y-12 National Security Complex

With deadline looming, supporters hopeful that Manhattan Project parks legislation will pass

Posted at 8:45 pm December 3, 2014
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Manhattan Project National Historical Park House Hearing

Pictured above at a June 28, 2012, U.S. House hearing on the Manhattan Project National Historical Park Act are, from front left, Cindy Kelly, Atomic Heritage Foundation president; Heather McClenahan, executive director of the Los Alamos Historical Society; and D. Ray Smith, Y-12 National Security Complex historian. Gary Petersen, Tri-City Development Council vice president, is pictured in the background. (Photo courtesy of Atomic Heritage Foundation.

An amendment introduced in the U.S. House of Representatives on Tuesday includes the creation of a long-sought-after Manhattan Project National Historical Park that would include Oak Ridge, and supporters are hopeful that the legislation, which has bipartisan support, will pass before the end of the legislative session.

The bill appears to have a “really good chance of moving forward,” said Kati Schmidt, spokesperson for the National Parks Conservation Association.

Besides Oak Ridge, the Manhattan Project National Historical Park would also include Los Alamos, New Mexico, and Hanford, Washington. Those three areas were among the sites involved in the Manhattan Project, a top-secret federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II.

There is currently no national park commemorating the project, which is considered one of the most significant events of the 20th century. Historic preservationists, including in Oak Ridge and at the Atomic Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C., have tried for years to change that. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Federal, Government, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Abraham Lincoln, amendment, atomic bombs, Atomic Heritage Foundation, Building 9204-3, Cindy Kelly, Clark Bunting, Congress, D. Ray Smith, Gettysburg Address, Hanford, Harriet Tubman, Heather McClenahan, historic preservation, K-25 Building, Kati Schmidt, Lamar Alexander, legislation, Los Alamos, Los Alamos Historical Society, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, National Defense Authorization Act, National Parks Conservation Association, National Parks System, NPCA, Oak Ridge, Senate, Telling America's Stories, Tom Beehan, U.S. House of Representatives, World War II, Y-12 National Security Complex

Passed in House, Manhattan Project Park amendment falls short in Senate

Posted at 6:48 pm December 11, 2013
By John Huotari 6 Comments

K-25 Aerial

Now mostly demolished, the former mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building is pictured above. The site could be included in a Manhattan Project National Historical Park. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

The legislation to create a Manhattan Project National Park that would include Oak Ridge has fallen short in the U.S. Senate, but the representative from Washington state who wrote the House amendment vowed to press ahead next year.

The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives in June as an amendment to the National Defense Authorization Act. But it was not included in the final text of the defense bill released late Tuesday night, said U.S. Rep. Doc Hastings, the Washington Republican who wrote the amendment.

Besides Oak Ridge, the park would include Hanford, Wash., and Los Alamos, N.M. The three cities played key roles in the Manhattan Project, a top-secret program to build the world’s first atomic weapons during World War II.

“I’m disappointed, but not deterred,” said Hastings, chair of the House Natural Resources Committee. “To all the advocates for this park: You’ve given great energy, enthusiasm, and expertise to this effort to date, and I know that will continue until our goal is accomplished, which I am confident it will ultimately be.” [Read more…]

Filed Under: DOE, East Tennessee Technology Park, Federal, Government, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, Slider, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Atomic Heritage Foundation, Building 9731, Cindy Kelly, defense bill, Doc Hastings, Hanford, House Natural Resources Committee, K-25 Building, Los Alamos, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Manhattan Project National Park, National Defense Authorization Act, NDAA, Oak Ridge, U.S. House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, World War II

Wilcox never gave up on plan to preserve K-25 history, former DOE manager says

Posted at 7:20 pm September 8, 2013
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

K-25 Building Aerial View

Now mostly demolished, the former mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building is pictured above. Bill Wilcox, a former technical director at K-25 and the Y-12 National Security Complex, led the fight to preserve K-25’s history. Wilcox died Monday, Sept. 2, and his funeral was Saturday. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

The fight to preserve the history of the K-25 site in west Oak Ridge was long and arduous. Among the challenges were federal funding battles and deteriorated building conditions.

Other people might have considered the dilapidated K-25 Building, once the world’s largest building under one roof, a “useless hulk,” one friend and colleague said. But historic preservationist Bill Wilcox, who died Monday evening, never gave up on his dream of honoring the site’s history.

Now mostly demolished, the mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building was erected as part of the top-secret Manhattan Project. That was a federal program to build the world’s first atomic bombs during World War II. But the four-story building has been shut down since 1964 and fallen into disrepair, and the U.S. Department of Energy is converting the site into a massive industrial park and demolishing many of the original buildings. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Community, East Tennessee Technology Park, Oak Ridge Office, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Alexander Inn, atomic bombs, Atomic Heritage Foundation, Bill Wilcox, Cindy Kelly, Cold War, Craig M. Kallio, D. Ray Smith, DOE, Ed Westcott, Gerald Boyd, Gordon Fee, Hanford, history, K-25, K-25 Building, Los Alamos, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Mercury Task Force, National Park Service, north end, nuclear weapons, Oak Ridge, Oak Ridge Office, Partnership for K-25 Preservation, PKP, Pollard Auditorium, Secret City Commemorative Walk, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, St. Stephen’s Memorial Garden, U.S. Department of Energy, World War II, Y-12 National Security Complex

Manhattan Project national park bill also reintroduced in U.S. House

Posted at 5:22 pm March 15, 2013
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

K-25 Building Aerial View

Now mostly demolished, the former mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building is pictured above. The site has previously been identified for possible inclusion in a Manhattan Project National Historical Park. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

A bill to set up a Manhattan Project national park that would include Oak Ridge has been reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives.

The bipartisan legislation was reintroduced on Friday in the U.S. House by Natural Resources Committee Chairman Doc Hastings, a Washington Republican;  Rep. Chuck Fleischmann, a Tennessee Republican; and Rep. Ben Luján, a New Mexico Democrat.

The legislation—H.R. 1208—would establish a Manhattan Project National Historical Park that would include facilities in Oak Ridge; Hanford, Wash.; and Los Alamos, N.M.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: East Tennessee Technology Park, Federal, Government, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Alexander Inn, atomic bombs, Atomic Heritage Foundation, B Reactor, Ben Luján, Building 9204-3, Building 9731, Chuck Fleischmann, Cindy Kelly, Doc Hastings, DOE, East Tennessee Technology Park, Guest House, Hanford, HR 1208, K-25 Building, Lamar Alexander, Los Alamos, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park, Maria Cantwell, national park, National Park Service, National Park System, nuclear weapons, Oak Ridge, S. 507, U.S. Department of Energy, U.S. Department of the Interior, U.S. House Natural Resources Committee, U.S. House of Representatives, World War II, Y-12 National Security Complex

Senate officials expect Manhattan Project park bill to be reintroduced

Posted at 2:15 pm January 30, 2013
By John Huotari Leave a Comment

Building 9204-3 at Y-12

Building 9204-3 at the Y-12 National Security Complex could be included in a Manhattan Project National Historical Park under legislation that could be reintroduced in Congress early this year. (Photo courtesy of Y-12 National Security Complex.)

A U.S. Senate committee assistant said officials expect a bill to be reintroduced early this year to create a Manhattan Project national park that could include sites in Oak Ridge, Los Alamos, N.M., and Hanford, Wash.

An earlier bill to create the park died in the last session of Congress, and one of its key sponsors, Sen. Jeff Bingaman, a New Mexico Democrat, has retired.

Bingaman was chair of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee. Ron Wyden, an Oregon Democrat, has replaced him as chair.

“As you know, Sen. Bingaman sponsored the bill to create a Manhattan Project National Historical Park with components in New Mexico, Washington, and Tennessee, because one of the areas to be included (Los Alamos, N.M.) was in his home state,” said Sam Offerdahl, press assistant for the Energy and Natural Resources Committee. “We expect the bill to be reintroduced early this year, likely with a member from one of the states that is home to the proposed parks as lead sponsor (following Senate custom).”

[Read more…]

Filed Under: East Tennessee Technology Park, Federal, Government, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy, Y-12 National Security Complex Tagged With: Alexander Inn, Atomic Heritage Foundation, Building 9204-3, Buildings 9731, Cindy Kelly, Congress, East Tennessee Technology Park, Guest House, Hanford, Jeff Bingaman, K-25 Building, Los Alamos, Manhattan Project, Oak Ridge, Ron Wyden, Sam Offerdahl, Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, U.S. Senate, World War II, Y-12 National Security Complex

Dead for now, Manhattan Project national park bill could be reintroduced

Posted at 9:48 am January 28, 2013
By John Huotari 2 Comments

K-25 Building Aerial View

Now mostly demolished, the former mile-long, U-shaped K-25 Building is pictured above. The site could be included in a Manhattan Project National Historical Park. (Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy)

A bill to create a Manhattan Project national park that would include Oak Ridge died in the last session of Congress, but the legislation could be revived this session.

“It will be reintroduced,” said Cindy Kelly, founder and president of the Atomic Heritage Foundation in Washington, D.C. “We are very optimistic that the bill will move through the process.”

Besides Oak Ridge, the park would also include sites in Los Alamos, N.M., and Hanford, Wash.

[Read more…]

Filed Under: Federal, Government, Top Stories, U.S. Department of Energy Tagged With: Alexander Inn, Atomic Heritage Foundation, Cindy Kelly, Guest House, Hanford, K-25 Building, Los Alamos, Manhattan Project, Manhattan Project National Historical Park Act, national park, Oak Ridge, Y-12 National Security Complex

Search Oak Ridge Today

Classifieds

Availability of the draft environmental assessment for off-site depleted uranium manufacturing (DOE/EA-2252)

The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA) announces the … [Read More...]

Public Notice: NNSA announces no significant impact of Y-12 Development Organization operations at Horizon Center

AVAILABILITY OF THE FINAL ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT FOR THE OFFSITE HOUSING OF THE Y-12 DEVELOPMENT … [Read More...]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, … [Read More...]

Recent Posts

  • Flatwater Tales Storytelling Festival Announces 2025 Storytellers
  • Laser-Engraved Bricks Will Line Walkway of New Chamber Headquarters
  • Democratic Women’s Club to Discuss Climate Change, Energy and Policy
  • Estate Jewelry Show at Karen’s Jewelers Features Celebrity Jewelry
  • Keri Cagle named new ORAU senior vice president and ORISE director
  • ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal+ORAU Annual Giving Campaign exceeds $100,000 goal More than $1 million raised in past 10 years benefits United Way and Community Shares Oak Ridge, Tenn. —ORAU exceeded its goal of raising $100,000 in donations as part of its internal annual giving campaign that benefits the United Way and Community Shares nonprofit organizations. ORAU has raised more than $1 million over the past 10 years through this campaign. A total of $126,839 was pledged during the 2024 ORAU Annual Giving Campaign. Employees donate via payroll deduction and could earmark their donation for United Way, Community Shares or both. “ORAU has remained a strong pillar in the community for more than 75 years, and we encourage our employees to consider participating in our annual giving campaign each year to help our less fortunate neighbors in need,” said ORAU President and CEO Andy Page. “Each one of our employees has the power to positively impact the lives of those who need help in the communities where we do business across the country and demonstrate the ORAU way – taking care of each other.” ORAU, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, provides science, health and workforce solutions that address national priorities and serve the public interest. Through our specialized teams of experts and access to a consortium of more than 150 major Ph.D.-granting institutions, ORAU works with federal, state, local and commercial customers to provide innovative scientific and technical solutions and help advance their missions. ORAU manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education (ORISE) for the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE). Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Learn more about ORAU at www.orau.org. Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/OakRidgeAssociatedUniversities Follow us on X (formerly Twitter): https://twitter.com/orau Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/orau ###
  • Children’s Museum Gala Celebrates the Rainforest
  • Jim Sears joins ORAU as senior vice president
  • Oak Ridge Housing Authority Receives Funding Assistance of up to $51.8 Million For Renovating Public Housing and Building New Workforce Housing
  • Two fires reported early Friday

Recent Comments

  • Raymond Mitchell on City manager’s ‘State of the City’ canceled due to weather
  • Raymond Mitchell on City manager’s ‘State of the City’ canceled due to weather
  • Mysti M Desilva on Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks
  • Mel Schuster on Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks
  • Cecil King on Crews clearing roads, repairing water line breaks
  • Rick Morrow on Roads, schools, businesses closed after heavy snow
  • Diana lively on Free community Thanksgiving Dinner on Nov. 25
  • Anne Garcia on School bus driver arrested following alleged assault on elementary student
  • Raymond Dickover on Blockhouse Valley Recycling Center now open 6 days per week
  • Mike Mahathy on School bus driver arrested following alleged assault on elementary student

Copyright © 2025 Oak Ridge Today