Manhattan Project National Historical Park

Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present a free program in Jackson Square. 

Jackson Square, or Town Center No. 1, formed the social and economic center of the wartime community of Oak Ridge. Stroll through the townsite to learn how Oak Ridgers created community in the atomic city.

During the walk, rangers and visitors will discuss what it took to shape Oak Ridge during World War II through routines and traditions brought from near and far.

Join Manhattan Project National Historical Park rangers at the K-25 Overlook across from the K-25 site to learn about the construction, operations, and legacy of the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant. One of three uranium enrichment facilities in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project, K-25 was the largest building in the world during World War II.

Join Manhattan Project National Historical Park, in partnership with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) in exploring the peaceful uses of the atom.  Utilizing the rich history and museum collection of the ORAU Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, this program will dive into atomic culture and innovations in medicine sparked by the Manhattan Project and expanded during the atomic age. Participants will have the unique opportunity to explore the Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, not regularly open to the public.

Update (1/23/26): This program was canceled due to Winter Storm Fern. 

Post-war Oak Ridge earned the moniker of America’s Secret City. Join a ranger talk inside the Turnpike Checking Station to learn about the security apparatus that wartime residents lived and worked under, and the few who tried to subvert it.

This program takes place in the historic Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station as space allows. If a larger group than can safely meet in the Checking Station attends the program, the talk will take place outside with an opportunity to view the historic building in smaller groups. 


Location Information: The Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station replaced a war-time checking station that was used for the Manhattan Project. Security at government installations at Oak Ridge was, and remains, a paramount concern. Following the purchase of the reservation in 1942, the entire perimeter was cordoned off with a barbed wire fence and seven entry points were established. At each one of these were guarded gates to identify personnel and residents entering Oak Ridge. There were three additional checking stations constructed to monitor traffic between the townsite and the three plant sites. The Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station controlled access into the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant and is representative of the security conditions of Oak Ridge in the post-war years. The Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. 

Join Manhattan Project National Historical Park rangers at the K-25 Overlook across from the K-25 site to learn about the construction, operations, and legacy of the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant. One of three uranium enrichment facilities in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project, K-25 was the largest building in the world during World War II.

Join Manhattan Project National Historical Park, in partnership with Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU) in exploring the peaceful uses of the atom.  Utilizing the rich history and museum collection of the ORAU Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, this program will dive into atomic culture and innovations in medicine sparked by the Manhattan Project and expanded during the atomic age. Participants will have the unique opportunity to explore the Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, not regularly open to the public.

Manhattan Project National Historical Park will present a free program in Jackson Square. 

Jackson Square, or Town Center No. 1, formed the social and economic center of the wartime community of Oak Ridge. Stroll through the townsite to learn how Oak Ridgers created community in the atomic city.

During the walk, rangers and visitors will discuss what it took to shape Oak Ridge during World War II through routines and traditions brought from near and far.

Post-war Oak Ridge earned the moniker of America’s Secret City. Join a ranger talk inside the Turnpike Checking Station to learn about the security apparatus that wartime residents lived and worked under, and the few who tried to subvert it.

This program takes place in the historic Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station as space allows. If a larger group than can safely meet in the Checking Station attends the program, the talk will take place outside with an opportunity to view the historic building in smaller groups. 


Location Information: The Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station replaced a war-time checking station that was used for the Manhattan Project. Security at government installations at Oak Ridge was, and remains, a paramount concern. Following the purchase of the reservation in 1942, the entire perimeter was cordoned off with a barbed wire fence and seven entry points were established. At each one of these were guarded gates to identify personnel and residents entering Oak Ridge. There were three additional checking stations constructed to monitor traffic between the townsite and the three plant sites. The Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station controlled access into the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant and is representative of the security conditions of Oak Ridge in the post-war years. The Oak Ridge Turnpike Checking Station was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1992. 

Join Manhattan Project National Historical Park rangers at the K-25 Overlook across from the K-25 site to learn about the construction, operations, and legacy of the K-25 Gaseous Diffusion Plant. One of three uranium enrichment facilities in Oak Ridge during the Manhattan Project, K-25 was the largest building in the world during World War II.

Join rangers for a guided walk through the pre-Manhattan Project community of Wheat. As you walk the former townsite, rangers will discuss the families and communities the Manhattan Project displaced in late 1942. Stops include the George Jones Memorial Baptist Church, Roane College site and the Crawford Cumberland Presbyterian Memorial.

The walk is approximately one and a half miles on gravel paths and trails. The trail to the Roane College site includes a slight incline. Wear comfortable shoes and bring water to drink.