Washington State's Connection to Soon-to-Debut Oppenheimer Film

Christopher Nolan's much anticipated Oppenheimer film is set to debut this month (July 21) and as Wall Street Journal  highlights, the history of the atomic era is resulting in a new wave of what’s being called “atomic tourism.” A dark time in history, yet so crucial to remember, most people are aware of the Los Alamos, New Mexico connection – but did you know that Tri-Cities in Washington State also played a significant role in this story?

Photo credit: Manhattan Project National Park Hanford Site; Current Richland main street by Becky Burghart; Historic Richland main street, US Department of Energy site

During the Manhattan Project, Hanford’s mission was industrial-scale plutonium production, which was then sent to Los Alamos, New Mexico, where scientists designed, built, and tested the atomic weapons. Visitors can bring the film’s history to life at The Manhattan Project National Park and its guided tours. Learn the history and science and engineering that led to the creation of the atomic bomb, along with international implications that remain even today. On August 5, join a Manhattan Project National Historical Park ranger for a guided walk around downtown Richland for an introduction to the Manhattan Project and the community built for its workers.  Find tour details here.

The ingenuity and dedication demonstrated by the Manhattan Project scientists and engineers is still an important aspect of the Tri-Cities today. Places in the Tri-Cities like Pacific Northwest National Lab and Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO) are conducting cutting edge science and engineering.

For more information on amenities, lodging and a calendar of events visit visittricities.com here. Connect on Instagram (@TriCitiesWA) Twitter at @TriCitiesWA or Facebook here.