Space history museum offers Trinity Site tour

Site of first atomic bomb test is open to the public only two days per year

ALAMOGORDO – On July 16, 1945, a tremendous explosion in the New Mexico desert marked the beginning of the end of World War II. The world’s first atomic bomb was detonated on that day at Trinity Site, on the north end of what is now White Sands Missile Range.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History hosts a motor coach tour to the site each April and October as part of a fundraiser for its foundation.

Museum volunteer and renowned local historian Pete Eidenbach will accompany guests on the coach, giving an in-depth talk on the bomb and its history, along with unique insight into local history. After a brown-bag lunch, guests will visit the McDonald House and take a walking tour of Trinity Site.

On the return trip, “Trinity: The Atomic Bomb Movie.” will be shown. Back at the museum, guests will be treated to a guided tour of the museum to wind up the day.

Trinity Site is open to the public twice each year, on the first Saturday in April and again on the first Saturday in October.

White Sands Missile Range hosts the annual events because this national historic site is on the north end of the normally highly restricted range. Special interpretation at the site is provided by missile range staff.

All visitors must have government-issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

“If you’ve never been to Trinity Site, this is the way to travel. On the coach, you’ll be able to enjoy the trip comfortably and learn about the bomb and Trinity Site from our guest travel guide Pete Eidenbach,” said Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll.

The roughly 140-mile round trip from Alamogordo to Trinity Site crosses through a large area of White Sands Missile Range. The museum’s motor coach has onboard restrooms.

Limited advance tickets are on sale now through the museum’s marketing department or online, and they include the round trip to Trinity Site, guided tour, brownbag lunch, and guided tour of the museum.

Tickets are $75 per person, or $65 for museum members. To reserve tickets or for more information, call 575-437-2840 ext. 41132 or visit www.nmspacemuseum.org.

COURTESY OF NATIONAL PARK SERVICE Military personnel move “Jumbo” to Trinity Site. One of the concerns of the scientists who built the “Gadget” nuclear device that was detonated at Trinity Site on July 16, 1945, was that the bomb might not actually go off.