The Milwaukee Public Museum’s latest exhibit, the world’s first permanent exhibit about the development of the atomic bomb, opened to the public this week.
The show, The Atomic Bomb: The Development of America’s Atomic Bomb, is an immersive journey into the atomic era and how it changed America and the world.
“This exhibit is about the history of atomic bombs and the legacy they leave behind,” museum spokeswoman Laura Johnson said.
“The museum is a national treasure and our mission is to create a safe, welcoming, and fun space for everyone to experience it.”
The exhibit, which opened in April, includes artifacts and photographs from the museum’s archives, as well as a collection of books and documents from the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC), the organization that oversaw the development and testing of the bombs.
“It’s a very rare opportunity for a museum to have its own history in its own space,” Johnson said, adding that the museum plans to host the exhibit for the next six months in addition to the summer.
“Our museum will continue to explore how the atomic age affected the way we live, and how our country works today.”
While the exhibition features a variety of objects and artifacts from the atomic arsenal, it also explores the role of women in the development process.
“Women played a significant role in the design and production of the weapons and their development,” Johnson explained.
“We’re looking at how women were involved in building the bomb, in developing the weapon, and the development programs.”
As for the women who worked on the bomb itself, the museum has an exhibit about their contributions.
“Many of these women were scientists, engineers, and others who contributed to the design of the bomb,” Johnson added.
“They’re also part of the story of how this bomb was created.”
The museum’s museum director, Stephanie Rieck, said the exhibit will focus on women who were involved with the design process.
“We are trying to celebrate the achievements of women and their contributions to the development, testing, and production process of the atom bomb,” she said.
The exhibition is scheduled to be open to the general public on Saturday, May 11.