The Vegas Voice - Knowing Nevada's History

Knowing Nevada's History (Vegas Voice June 2005)

When you read this article, there will be about one week left before the legislature adjourns. Because so much happens during the final days, I've decided to wait until my July column to do a post-mortem on the session, summarizing the major bills that were passed and killed. Hopefully, I'll have good news for you about a rebate.

In the meantime, I'd like to share with you some thoughts on an important project that Senator Beers and I both support. As they say, sometimes politics makes strange bedfellows. I am referring to the new Atomic Testing Museum, which opened at 755 East Flamingo Road on the campus of the Desert Research Institute in February 2005.

The museum, an affiliate of the Smithsonian Institute, through permanent and revolving exhibits, tells the story of the Nevada Test Site and its contribution to American defense policy throughout the Cold War. It further explores the history of the Test Site and its influence on Nevada culture, politics, and economy, from its opening in 1951 until today. Exhibits include artifacts from the Test Site, popular culture articles featuring the mushroom cloud, previously classified documents and photographs of weapons tests, and personal accounts by many of the thousands of men and women who worked at the Test Site over the years.

The facility also houses an extensive repository of old Atomic Energy Commission records from the days of atmospheric testing. It features a lecture hall for visiting scholars and conferences; a reading room open to the public, which I am proud to say, bears my name; and a gift shop with such novelties as atomic ties, postcards, and coffee cups.

I became interested in this topic in 1982, when I spent a semester working for U.S. Senator Howard Cannon in Washington, D.C. During this period, the problems of the "downwinders," those who lived downwind of the Test Site during the days of atmospheric testing and were frequently sprinkled with radioactive fallout, were just emerging. As I researched the topic for Senator Cannon, I became aware of the many elements of the story - political intrigue, personal trauma and government culpability. My research eventually led to the book, Bombs in the Backyard (revised edition, University of Nevada Press, 2001).

While I am critical of many of the policies of the AEC/DOE over the years, I cannot deny the significance of the Nevada Test Site. Furthermore, while I disagree with some of their priorities, I have great respect for many of the people who spent their lives working for the defense of this nation, including Troy Wade and Bruce Church, among others, who were instrumental in getting this museum started. Finally, I believe it is critical that this story be told, so we don't make the same mistakes again. That's why I introduced a bill several sessions ago to create the museum and now serve on its board.

So I urge you to take a few hours to visit this impressive new museum and learn a little about another aspect of Southern Nevada history. And while you're at it, you may want to check out my book and send me your thoughts on this compelling topic.

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