LAS VEGAS, NV – With the signing of the Defense Authorization
Act into law recently by President Obama, the Atomic Testing Museum
here in Las Vegas formally became the National Atomic Testing Museum.

“I was pleased to include this provision in the legislation to
ensure Nevada’s valuable contributions during the Cold War receive
the attention it deserves.” said Senator Harry Reid.

Museum Chair Troy Wade added “The entire Museum family is
grateful to Senator Reid for taking the lead in obtaining this unique
designation for our museum. Without his sponsorship in the Senate,
the language would likely have been removed.” Wade also thanked
Congressman Joe Heck for assuring that the language passed the
Conference review in the House of Representatives. “Without his
direct intervention, the language would have been altered or removed
by the House”, said Wade. Wade concluded that the National Atomic
Testing Museum joins an exclusive group of museums in the U.S.
that have the “National” designation. The Smithsonian affiliated
institution is now nationally recognized for the unique role the test
site played in defending our country. The National Atomic Testing
Museum is the only “National” museum in Nevada, as designated by
Congress. The National Atomic Testing Museum tells the story of the
nuclear weapons testing program at the Nevada Test Site and of the
hundreds of men and women who worked there, and those who are still
working at the Nevada National Security Site. Due to efforts by
Senator Harry Reid and Congressman Joe Heck, Congress named the
Atomic Testing Museum a “National” museum, declaring it to be a
national treasure, and the premiere location in the country to tell
the test site history. It is one of only two nuclear museums in the
United States, the other located in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

“Designation as a National Museum is a significant step forward for
this unique museum” noted Allan Palmer, the museum’s Executive Director
and CEO. “Joining a distinguished family of just 36 museums to have
been designated as ‘national’ museums of the United States, the newly
minted National Atomic Testing Museum adds a luster to the already
glittering city of Las Vegas” said Palmer “that is sure to attract
new American audiences and international visitors”.

About the National Atomic Testing Museum
Founded in 1998 to preserve the legacy of the Nevada Test Site, the
Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation was formed to document and
interpret the unique history associated with 60+ years of nuclear
weapons research and testing conducted at the Nevada Test Site.
The Foundation opened the new Atomic Testing Museum in 2005 to
interpret that history for the public. Today the museum strives to
conserve this history and place it within the context of state, national,
and global importance.

In addition to the permanent displays that make up the core exhibit
area of the museum, a temporary exhibit gallery features traveling
exhibits and short-term themed exhibits related to science, engineering
and technology. The current temporary gallery exhibit which closes
on January 5, 2012, is titled “Building Atomic Vegas” and chronicles
the parallel development of the city of Las Vegas and the Nevada Test
Site during the 1950’s, 60’s and 70’s. A new exhibit, opening on
March 26, 2012, will be titled “Area 51: Myth or Reality?” that explores
the fact and fiction surrounding one of the most secretive areas in
America.

The National Atomic Testing Museum is open 7 days a week, Monday
through Saturday from 10 am to 5pm and Sundays from 12 pm to 5 pm;
last tickets are sold at 4:30 p.m. to allow time to tour the Museum.
Admission is $14 for adults, $11 for Seniors, Military w/ID, and
Students w/ID. Admission for museum members and children 6 and under
is FREE.

The National Atomic Testing Museum is an Affiliate of the Smithsonian
Institution and a member of the American Association of Museums.
The museum is located at 755 E. Flamingo Road, between Paradise
and Swenson on the south side of the street.
Ample free parking is available and the museum is fully ADA
accessible. For more information, please call 702-794-5151
or visit us on the web at www.AtomicTestingMuseum.org
– Tony Darnello