Annual Report 2021-2022

ANNUAL REPORT

2021 - 2022

BOARD OF TRUSTEESS & STAFF

Executive Committee

Abdiel Ramirez

President

Zabrina Johal

Vice President

Toni Hiley

Secretary

Ben Balkcom, CPA

Treasurer

Wayne Laslie

Past President

Board of Trustees

Amanda Armenta

Raffi Andonian

Shander Bawden

Dennis Bence

Dr. Sandra Biedron

Dr. Robert Busch

Erin Chisolm

Aleli Colon

Dr. Joanna Fair

Dayra Fallad-Mendoza

Dr. Gregg Franklin

Dr. Damon Giovanielli

Dr. Katrina Groth

Dave Jansen

Madison Jones

Dr. Tim Koeth

Michael McLaughlin

Dr. Chris Perfetti

Michael Rogholt

Elisha Saavedra-Torres

Robert Singer, Esq.

Dr. John Stichman

Steve Young

Honorary Trustees

Clay K. Perkins

Richard Rhodes

William Wabbersen

Trustees Emeritus

Hal Behl

James (Jim) Ferland

Dan Hardin

Michael Hartshorne, MD

Judith Mead

Marcus Mims, CPA

Greg Morrison

John Shaw

Alison Schuler, Esq.

Pam Sullivan

Warner Talso

Administration, Finance & Store

Elena Seaberg

Director of Finance & Administration

Stephen Whitman

Administrative Coordinator

Molly Brunell

Operations Buyer & Instagram Creator

Michael Rodriguez

Weekend Supervisor

Store Staff

Phoebe Davis

Camila Garrido

Yasmine Lopez

Luisa Pacheco Executive Staff

Jim Walther

Museum Executive Director

Jennifer Hayden

Deputy Director & Director of Communications

Curatorial Staff

James Stemm Curator

Sandy Fye Registrar

Meghan Beaudet

Digital Collections Coordinator

Development Staff

Jennifer Thompson Director of Development

Nicole Arsenault

Events & Facility Rental Coordinator

Olivia Gannon

Grant Writer

Meghan Thomas Development Administrator

Jacob Mata

Education Staff

Lisa Guida

Director of Education

Linda Anderson

Education Enrichment Coordinator

Austin Ozolins

Museum Educator

Chris Isonhood

Museum Educator

Exhibitions & Facilities

Ryan Painter

Director of Exhibits & Facilities

Michael Brock

Facility Operations Coordinator

John Boyle

Exhibition Technician

Cody Willis

Security

Travis Byrd Security

MISSION

ur mission remains a guiding principle of the efforts of our Board of Trustees, volunteers and professional staff.

The museum is a non-profit charitable corporation designated by Congress as the official nuclear museum resource for our nation.

The mission of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is to serve as America’s museum resource for nuclear science and history. This is accomplished through presentations of exhibitions and quality educational programs conveying the diversity of individuals and events that shape the historical and technical context of our world.

LETTER FROM THE FOUNDATION

As we recover and rebuild from the pandemic impact on our communities, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has engaged in new ways of reaching our audiences through new programs and initiatives. We are also excited to return to previous ways of interaction, welcoming our guests back into the museum.

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History continues exciting progress as an institution making nuclear science and history accessible to tens of thousands of visitors. Through our many programs and exhibitions, our growing group of enriching camps and classes, the Nuclear Museum has been very successful in enhancing young people’s knowledge and excitement of STEM. We are excited about our expanding digital content with our partnership with the Atomic Heritage Foundation, which will serve as a valued digital resource for many.

We remain committed to our growth which includes projects such as the “The Jerry L. Adams Museum Artifact Center” and “Peacekeeper Memorial” which we will be constructed soon in Heritage Park. This exciting new addition will enhance our capabilities and capacity as the first large addition project in 15 years.

Nuclear Science Week, started here by our museum in 2009, is now celebrated in six countries worldwide, and was observed for its thirteenth year in Ann Arbor, Michigan, for the National Event observance this past fall. Last March, we held the 24th annual Einstein Gala here at the museum, where we presented the National Award of Nuclear Science and History to Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President of Rensselaer University. As always, we had a great Discover STEAM Week and the 25th annual Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage event among many others.

None of these transformative projects would have been possible without your support –from our great volunteers, to the many individuals, companies, and foundations in our community that continue to support us with their time and charitable contributions.

We invite you to visit the museum to explore our exhibits. And if interested, become a member or supporter. We have lofty institutional aspirations, but it is through the spirit of collaboration that we achieve our goals, and your involvement can make this a reality.

Abdiel Ramirez , Foundation President Jim Walther, Executive Director

EDUCATION

Nuclear Science Week ALBUQUERQUE

The museum’s education team celebrated Nuclear Science Week in October 2021 and invited students and families in grades 6-12 to a virtual event that explored the five pillars of nuclear science: carbon-free energy, global leadership, transformative healthcare, innovation & technology, and space exploration through demonstration, experimentation, guest speakers, and engaging activities. Participants engaged in guest nuclear science career talks in partnership with Sandia National Labs, participated in hands-on activities such as Schrödinger’s Spiders, a Half-life activity, a radioactive tracer activity, and a Rutherford board activity. The event received over 150 registrations, 4,500 impressions, 530 views with over 175 unique viewers, and over 50 hours of watch time.

“It was a fun week watching the videos of you, as well as all the rest! I am the Rad officer at UW-Milwaukee, and I was informed of your museum by my sister, who traveled to Albuquerque to get married. The new nuptials went to the museum while they were down there and got me a shirt I wear to work all the time. I signed up for your mailing list and learned about nuclear science week there. Thank you for all that you do!!”

EDUCATION

Discover STEAM

VIRTUAL EVENT

The museum’s education department hosted an in-person event on February 12, 2022. The event included over 40 community area partners like UNM, High Desert Amateur Radio Club of New Mexico, The Science Gal, and many more! The event included liquid nitrogen ice cream, learning about flight with the Tuskegee Airman, a Wall-E sanitizing robot, remote controlled hot air balloons! The museum received over 553 participants for its first back in person event since 2020. This special event was sponsored by Sandia National Laboratories.

EDUCATION

Homeschool

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY

This year, the museum’s education department was proud to once again offer in-person homeschool sessions which began in September 2021. This program offers an enrichment science learning series that is taught throughout the school year and builds upon previous lessons. Sessions run from September 2021 through April 2022 and meets twice monthly on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. The museum has hosted over 150 students and families, exploring nuclear science topics such as Reactions, Fun with Chemistry, Electrons and Exploring Electricity, What’s the Matter, Radiation and “U”, and more!

Counselor in Training (CIT) Program

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY

The museum’s education department was proud to offer a teen Counselor in Training (CIT) program for teens ages 14-17 years old. The CIT program provided teens with the opportunity to develop critical leadership and interpersonal skills. It encouraged youth to utilize their strengths, build a strong rapport with day campers, and demonstrate responsibility and accountability. The education team hosted twelve CIT’s over the summer, where all twelve CIT’s received the Presidential Volunteer Award, certificate, and a letter of recommendation from the Executive Director.

“Science is Everywhere” Camps

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY

The museum’s staff were pleased to welcome many students into the fall break, election day, parent-teacher conferences, winter break, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, spring break, and all school break camps that follow the Albuquerque Public School break schedules. Camps were offered to Kindergarten through 6th grade, and they included engaging themes such as Just Add a Little H20, It’s Electrifying. The museum served over 600 students in small, multi-age day camps, that explored experiential STEAM concepts.

The museum was excited to offer ten weeks, full-day in-person day camps for pre-Kinder, school-aged, and teen youth. The talented education team was proud to host over 800 youth and teens to explore weekly STEAM-related themes such as Bubbles, Bubbles, Bubbles, Weather & Rainbows, Coding, Hogwerts, and more! Campers spent their days having fun while exploring all things STEM, crafting their artistic abilities, building life-long friendships, and cooling off at the Multi-generational Community Center’s spray park.

EDUCATION

“Science is Everywhere” Camps

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY

“Just a note to say thank you for saving the day today! We showed up for Election Day Camp only to find my kids were not on the list (I’m sure I missed a step when I registered). You stepped in and offered your office for me to register and eased their way into the group. It was one of the best educational experiences they’ve had this year. Thanks again!”

EDUCATION

Junior Docents

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY

The museum’s education department was excited to host the Junior Docent teen leadership program. Junior Docent’s met two Saturday’s a month and worked side-by-side the museum’s educators, staff, and volunteers, becoming experts in a science or history topic related to the museum. The Junior Docents develop customer service and leadership skills and engage with the public while working as educators in the museum’s exhibit halls and explore STEM career paths. The museum’s education team is proud to work with and guide these exceptional teens in the Junior Docent program.

EDUCATION

Outreach/Service Learning

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY

The education team was pleased to team up with the Technology Leadership High School to offer students in grades 9-12 a servicelearning program which began in September 2022. Students worked directly with the education team to learn about all things Museums. This year the museum participated in the New Mexico Out of School Time Networks annual Fall into Place Conference, Isotopes STEM Day, Cub Scouts Adventure Day with the Boy Scout’s, and Science & Technology and Environment Appreciate Day at EXPO New Mexico.

Project Atom

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY

The museum’s education team was proud to launch its first ever, out of school time (OST) program. Project Atom is designed for high school students who want to expand their knowledge of Nuclear Science. Topics included basic nuclear energy science, nuclear reactor safety, how a nuclear reactor works, and more! Some sessions included handson student activities to promote the understanding of more complex concepts. The Nuclear Museum saw twenty high schoolers during the spring semester.

EDUCATION

Outstanding STEM Student Award

NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NUCLEAR SCIENCE & HISTORY

Through the sponsorship of Hal Behl and Judith Mead, the education team was proud to award two exceptional high school students along with their guests to participate in the 24th annual Einstein Gala event. Recipients for this year were Iorwen Ouyang, 9th grade from La Cueva High School , and Amir Fauzi, 10th grader from Cleveland High School. The Outstanding STEM Students received photos with the recipient of the 2022 National Award of Nuclear Science & History, a letter of recommendation from the museum’s Executive Director, a $250 scholarship, and an Outstanding STEM Student Award.

Pictured left to right: Amir Fauzi, Judith Mead, and Iorwen Ouyang

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS

The museum accessioned 765 new items into the collection in FY 2022.

Highlighted items introduced great variety into the museum’s collection. Barbara Smith donated an interesting collection of N.S. Savannah material that was collected by her father, Edward MacCutcheon. Edward MacCutcheon was the head of the U.S. Maritime Administration Office of Research and Development, overseeing the nuclear-powered merchant ship. These included a N.S. Savannah booklet and images of the Promenade Deck and the Nerve Center of the N.S. Savannah. In addition to these unique items, Bob Myers donated 1946 sheet music for Piano, The Dance of the Atoms.

Digital Collections Coordinator, Anna Part, purchased and donated a Russian Edition reprint of Amazing Fantasy #15 Spider-Man comic book.

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS

Nerve Center of the N. S. Savannah

Shuffleboard on the Promenade Deck

Savannah Booklet

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS

Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History announced the opening of the Smithsonian traveling exhibition Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II on Saturday, October 23, 2021. The exhibition examined the complicated history and impact of Executive Order 9066 that led to the incarceration of Japanese Americans following the attack on Pearl Harbor. Righting a Wrong remained on view through January 2, 2022.

Embracing themes that are as relevant today as they were 75 years ago, Righting a Wrong looked at immigration, prejudice, civil rights, heroism, and what it means to be an American. The exhibition explored the complex history through historical images, personal stories, and objects from those incarcerated at the camps. A duffle bag used by the Imada family when they were relocated to the Gila River camp in Arizona reflected the restrictions to bring only what they could carry. Takeo Shirasawa’s 1943 high school diploma from the Poston camp in Arizona exemplified the experience of thousands of other teens who had to complete their high school education in camps.

This special exhibition is supported by the generous grant support of the New Mexico Humanities Council and support from Erin Chisolm, National Atomic Museum Foundation Board of Trustee.

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS

To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA

Just before the first man landed on the moon, Charlie Brown and Snoopy soared through space with NASA’s Apollo 10 mission in May 1969. The exhibition, To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA, examined the history of Apollo 10 and the Peanuts characters’ role in that flight and in the NASA Manned Flight Awareness safety program. The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History hosted To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA – a special exhibit organized by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center – from January 22 through May 15, 2022.

In To the Moon: Snoopy Soars with NASA, visitors saw Snoopy’s trip to the moon in the March 1969 Peanuts strip series (besting NASA’s record by a few months) and learned about the NASA’s Silver Snoopy Award program.

This exhibition was organized and toured by the Charles M. Schulz Museum and Research Center, Santa Rosa, California, and was sponsored by Leslie Phinney.

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS

Private Charles J. Miller: WWII Paintings from the South Pacific

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History hosted Private Charles J. Miller: WWII Paintings from the South Pacific, a special exhibit organized by the Wright Museum of World War II, from July 2 through October 30, 2022. Charles J. Miller, a self-taught draftsman and painter, was a WWII soldier who created paintings of the South Pacific that depicted everyday experiences of servicemen who fought in that WWII theater.

Private Miller fought in the Pacific Theater during WWII and captured his deployment in over 700 paintings, and of these, 120 paintings are included in this special exhibition. During this time, he drew on whatever he had available, from large sheets of paper to the insides of cigarette cartons, all using children’s watercolor sets. Alongside these works of art that capture dramatic action and keen observation, reside interpretive text panels that contain transcriptions of the narratives Private Miller wrote on the front and/or back of his paintings. The transcriptions preserve Miller’s spelling, sentence structure and punctuation so viewers can gain a flavor of his writing style.

B-24 Liberator Bomber, Guam 1945 W157

Outside YMCA, Honolulu, 1942-1943 W313

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS

Think Thorium: The Future of Nuclear Energy

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History showcased a new permanent exhibit called Think Thorium: The Future of Nuclear Energy, opening to the public on Friday, October 14, 2022. Sponsored by the Thorium Energy Alliance, the exhibit looks at the past, present and future of using Thorium as fuel in a nuclear reactor and the development of a reactor technology significantly different from that used today.

Thorium was the second element discovered to be radioactive and has seen use in both industrial production and medicine. It has not, however, been used in nuclear energy production, since unlike uranium, it cannot sustain a fission reaction. Technology is currently being developed that would use thorium as part of both the fuel and the coolant for a new class of reactor. The molten salt reactor, when fully developed, would be safer, produce less waste and help reduce the world’s dependence on fossil fuels for energy production.

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS

Minuteman Restoration

The Minuteman is a three-stage Intercontinental Ballistic Missile. Design work on the Minuteman began in the mid-1950s in response to a U.S. Air Force request for a solid fuel ICBM to replace earlier liquid fueled missiles. The first Minuteman was launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida on February 1, 1961. Successful test launches both from above ground launch pads and underground silos led to the Air Force accepting the Minuteman-I into service the following year.

The missile on display at the museum is a mockup that was originally displayed in a park in San Bernadino, California. It was transferred here in 1972. Late in 2021, the museum’s exhibits staff and volunteers began preparing the missile for repainting and to be lifted into a vertical position for display. Over the summer of 2022, contractors and staff painted the missile and then lifted it vertically and welded it onto a mount as an impressive part of the museum’s Heritage Park display.

The missile was lifted on June 3, 2022, by Mountain States Crane. JB Henderson loaned the museum a substantial amount of equipment as an in kind donation. Other vendors who worked on the initiative included Enterprise builders who dug the hole and poured the concrete foundation, and No Limit Paint and Body who painted the missile.

The museum’s very own John Boyle, Exhibition Technician, welded the lifting tabs and the entire base to the plate. The museum volunteer team included Mark Soo Hoo, Sam Finch, and Tom St. Aubin.

EXHIBITS & COLLECTIONS

Museum Artifact Center (MAC)

As of 2022, the museum’s board and staff successfully raised over $600,000 for the Museum Artifact Center (MAC). Because of this success, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History held a groundbreaking ceremony for the Museum Artifact Center - a unique memorial and artifacts care facility to commemorate service to the nation’s defense and house the largest collection of unclassified American nuclear defense heritage materials in existence – on Friday, April 22, 2022, to move forward with construction. Dignitaries were present to publicly acknowledge the legacy and historical significance of the artifacts that will be housed in this facility.

The MAC will be built in the museum’s Heritage Park as an artifacts care facility to commemorate service to the nation’s defense and house the largest collection of unclassified American nuclear defense heritage materials in existence. The museum’s collection includes the world’s largest and most complete group of historic nuclear weapons casings and displays that are unclassified and able to be viewed by the general public. This collection of more than 120 individual items, systems or deployment technologies is too large for complete concurrent inmuseum display, thus the need for the new facility. The MAC facility will be 5,000 square feet, offering space for museum quality storage for the nuclear defense artifacts, plus an exhibition preparation space. The MAC will also be a site for scheduled behind-the-scenes tours to invite the community to experience this part of history firsthand.

From left: Jim Walther, Museum Executive Director; Dave Jansen, Museum Trustee and Project Construction Committee Chairperson; Frederick Bermudez, Director of Communication Sandia National Labs; Terry Adams; Wayne Laslie, Museum Trustee, Immediate Past President of Board of Trustees; family to Jerry Adams.

VOLUNTEERS

Annually, the museum had approximately 104 volunteers involved with different programs that include exhibition construction, restoration projects, cataloging collection items, field trips, camps, administrative help, and much more. This number encompasses the museum’s volunteer core and one-time corporate/group volunteers. During FY22 the total number of hours contributed by all museum volunteers was 6,431.

104

6,431 Volunteers

Volunteer Hours

VOLUNTEER AWARDS

Every year in December, the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History hosts the Volunteer Appreciation Dinner to thank the dedicated volunteers for their hard work. Awards are presented for years of service and departmental recognition, but the culmination of the evening is the presentation of the Maydew-Jeblick Award and the Outstanding Student Award.

The Maydew-Jeblick Award honors the memory of two past volunteers, Randall C. Maydew and Harold Jeblick, whose impact on the Museum was significant. The lifetime award is the highest honor given to a volunteer. The honoree for the year is nominated and selected by the museum staff. Similarly, the Outstanding Student Award recognizes the work done by the museum’s youth and young scholars, such as Junior Docents, Camp Counselors in Training, and Student Interns. This year’s Outstanding Student Award winner was Jonathan Song.

The museum honored to present the 2022 Maydew-Jeblick Award to Robert “Bob” Deurloo. Bob has been with the museum since 2015 and stands out with the cowboy hat he always wears. Bob is the commander at the local VFW and still has time to volunteer at the museum. He is a retired firefighter and Air Force Flight Line Mechanic Veteran. He has a great passion for helping the public learn what the museum has to offer and is one of the most positive gentlemen you will ever meet. He will always interact with the kids that attend the museum with their families and will always include them in the conversations. Even in these trying times we are in, Bob always has something positive to talk about. The museum is blessed to have a volunteer like Bob as he makes the staffs and visitors day that much better.

The Maydew-Jeblick Award 2022 Recipient

Robert “Bob” Deurloo

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Attendance at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History reached 54,395 in the fiscal year of 2022

The Nuclear Museum was the venue for 50 facility rentals during this timeframe, welcoming almost 3,000 guests as event attendees

During the fiscal year of 2022, the museum had 957 members, 154 of whom were Einstein Society members

The museum’s Instagram page has grown to over 3,570 followers, the museum’s Facebook page has grown to over 9,602 followers, and the museum’s Twitter account has grown to over 5,088 followers

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Nuclear After Dark

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History welcomed 400 visitors on October 1, 2021, to enjoy local food trucks, Bombs Away Beer Co., live music, and an outdoor showing of “Modern Marvels, The Manhattan Project.” This event was a wonderful event that kicked off Balloon Fiesta in style.

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Nuclear Science Week

WASHINGTON, D.C.

Nuclear Science Week (NSW) is an international, broadly observed celebration to focus local, regional, national and international interest on all aspects of nuclear science. Each year, an American city or geographical region is chosen to host Nuclear Science Week to educate the public on the values nuclear science brings to our communities. NSW was recognized for the twelfth year on October 18-22, 2021, taking place with a number of events across Washington, D.C.

Nuclear Science Week focuses on five major benefits of nuclear science – Carbon-Free Energy, Global Leadership, Transformative Healthcare, Innovation & Technology and Space Exploration. Working with the Smithsonian Affiliated National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, Palo Verde Generating Station served as the Co-Presenting Sponsor for 2021. Together, these companies led an impressive team of sponsors, partners and key contributors coming from each other the five nuclear science benefits and include NASA, Southern Company, Entergy, Exelon Generation, General Atomics, NuScale, Nuclear Energy Institute, Society of Nuclear Medicine & Molecular Imaging, Jensen Hughes, Mountain West Consulting, and Interlock Holdings.

This multi-day celebration began on Tuesday evening, October 19, for an Opening Reception at the Observatory at America’s Square. On Wednesday, October 20, members of Congress and Hill staff members are invited to an “Evening on the Hill” at the Wharf Dockmaster Building to experience the world of nuclear science with live music, food, drinks and more. Thursday, October 21, college students and young professionals are invited to an industry speed mixer event to “See Yourself in Nuclear” at the Pearl Street Warehouse. NSW 2021 saw over 15.5 million impressions via social media.

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Nuclear Science Week WASHINGTON, D.C.

Kathryn Huff, Assistant Secretary

Office of Nuclear Energy

United States Senator John Barrasso Wyoming

Abdiel Ramirez President Board of Trustees

Jim Walther, Museum Director

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Science on Tap

Science on Tap is an adult education initiative where the museum partners with the University of New Mexico and Explora Science Center & Children’s Museum of Albuquerque. The goals of Science on Tap are to bring science to the public to increase public awareness and pride in their research accomplishments of local scientists and to provide local science enthusiasts a fun and unique venue for meeting and interacting with one another. This event took place monthly at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, averaging 60 people. Though it was suspended until April, 2022, almost 500 attendees enjoyed Science on Tap in FY22.

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Movie Under the Wings

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History welcomed 275 guests to enjoy “Movie Under the Wings,” a unique outdoor movie event in the museum’s Heritage Park where visitors viewed the iconic movie, The Goonies, while sitting among the iconic aircraft in the museum’s nine-acre outdoor exhibit area on June 11, 2022.

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

24th Annual Einstein Gala

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History hosted the 24th Annual Einstein Gala, New Mexico’s biggest science party of the year, on Saturday, March 26, 2022, at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, welcoming 401 guests. The hybrid silent auction was very successful, with 137 items for auction, the museum’s team raised $16,763 to help support the Museum’s STEM educational programs for K-12 students.

This fundraising event introduced intricate science experiments performed by high school-aged museum junior volunteers, a unique silent auction, mingling among some of the most brilliant minds in science, and an opportunity to honor an exceptional individual with the 24th Annual National Award of Nuclear Science & History. The award was presented to the Honorable Shirley Ann Jackson, Ph.D., theoretical physicist and the 18th President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Described by Time Magazine as “perhaps the ultimate role model for women in science,” Dr. Jackson has held senior leadership positions in academia, government, industry and research.

Sponsors for the evening included Element Aero, Wayne & Mary Pat Laslie, Century Bank, Erin Chisolm, Sandia National Laboratories, Univiersity of Maryland, Nusenda, Parsons, Palo Verde Generating Station, General Atomics, Goodman Realty Group, Abdiel Ramirez, Hal Behl, and Judith Mead.

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

24th Annual Einstein Gala

Pictured from left to right: Abdiel Ramirez, President Board of Trustees; Jim Walther, Museum Director; Dr. Shirley Ann Jackson, President of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute; and Victor McEvee

Pictured: Heather Clark & Bill Slakey

Pictured: David & Zabrina Johal, Vice President Board of Trustees

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Day VIRTUAL EVENT

Cultural performances and music from New Mexico’s Asian communities, bright Japanese floral arrangements, intricate Chinese art activities, and much more filled the day on May 7, 2022, when the museum welcomed 571 visitors for the 25th Annual Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Day at the Nuclear Museum. On this special day, the museum partnered with the Sandia National Laboratories Asian Leadership Outreach Committee for the 25th year to celebrate the cultural traditions, ancestry, native languages and unique experiences represented among ethnic groups from Asia and the Pacific.

Through the continuing support of the Chinese Cultural Center and Lin’s Martial Arts Academy, New Mexico School of Chinese Language and Arts, Ichiyo School of Ikebana, Ikebana International Chapter 41, BK Taiko and the New Mexico School of Chinese Language & Arts, museum visitors will be treated to performances including Chinese martial arts, Polynesian dancing, Japanese Taiko drumming and much more!

Sponsors for the celebration include Sandia National Laboratories Asian Leadership Outreach Committee, Talin Market, the Albuquerque Business Collaborative, and the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Day VIRTUAL EVENT

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Hal Behl’s 100th Birthday Party

A Board Trustee from the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, Hal Behl, turned 100 years old on July 3, 2022, and due to his many years of service to local organizations and the city, Albuquerque Mayor Tim Keller has issued a signed proclamation making July 3, 2022, “Hal Behl Day” in the city. The proclamation was held at the Nuclear Museum to be presented to Mr. Behl on his birthday.

Hal has been a resident of Albuquerque for over 40 years. After receiving his bachelor’s degree in Aeronautical Engineering from New York University, his early career included serving in the Manhattan Project at Clinton Engineer Works, later known as Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a Special Engineering Detachment person for the U.S. Army. He served as the Assistant Supervisor of the Engineering Department at the K-25 Laboratory to produce enriched uranium. The group focused mainly on designing and building laboratory, process, health physics and quality assurance equipment such as an adjustable mass Spectrometry tube and a high vacuum selector valve.

Hal went on to a long and fruitful career in aeronautics as a rocket and propulsion scientist working for the Boeing Company and others. He is one of the oldest members of the American Institute of Aeronautics and Avionics. There is a special exhibit case dedicated to Hal and his accomplishments at the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.

He continues to serve as a Trustee Emeritus of the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History, the Chairman of the Board of the Albuquerque Museum of Art and History, was a past Board member of the Maxwell Museum of Anthropology and as a Board Member of the New Mexico Academy of Science.

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Hal Behl’s 100th Birthday Party

Abdiel Ramirez, President Board of Trustees and Hal Behl Emeritus, Board of Trustees

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Virtual Events

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History has continued to host virtual events to engage museum members and the community, increasing from last year’s number of events by 66%. In December of 2021, author, New Mexican historian, and retired nuclear physicist, John Taylor, presented the virtual event “Remembering New Mexicans in WWII” on the 80th anniversary of the Pearl Harbor attacks. On January 28th, 2022, Dr. Sean Maloney, presented “Deconstructing Dr. Strangelove: The Secret History of Nuclear War Films.” By blending film analysis with Cold War history, Dr. Maloney looked at how celluloid crises stacked up against the reality that we are all still here. On April 22nd, 2022, Dr. Carol Stabile discussed her book The Broadcast 41: Women and the Anti-Communist Blacklist to celebrate Women’s History month and delve deeper into how Cold War politics affected women in film and television.

On March 31st, 2022, the museum expanded its virtual programming to fit the needs of an audience who normally relies on the museum to offer physical tours of the Trinity Test Site by hosting an in-depth virtual tour of the Trinity Site featuring Executive Director Jim Walther, and invaluable volunteers, Judith Mead and Duane Hughes. In May, Dr. Todd Rider provided a different perspective on the plausibility of the advancement of Nazi Germany’s nuclear weapons program. This was followed in June by a virtual event presented by Dr. John Ibson, an author and professor emeritus of California State University. Dr. Ibson helped celebrate Pride Month by discussing the life of the only known “out” gay man to work on the Manhattan Project.

In July, the museum’s team started the first ever two-part series: “Nuclear Fashion History.” As the first installment of this series, Dr. Thomas Cole presented about the history of the bikini and its atomic beginnings. In August, the museum finished this series with a deeper dive into the connections between the nuclear age and women’s fashion and bodies with the virtual event “Sex and Fashion in the Atomic Age” with Dr. Jennifer Le Zotte.

In October of 2022, an interesting discussion was hosted with the novelist Sarah James about her debut book The Woman with Two Shadows, a story inspired by the secrets of wartime Oak Ridge, Tennessee.

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Virtual Events

In August of 2022, having hosted successful virtual events since beginning the Monthly Virtual Events program in 2020, the museum introduced a new bi-monthly virtual event series. The “Atomic History Speaker Series” featured experts and professionals from all over the world. These esteemed guests focused on various aspects of Atomic History with a strong focus on the Manhattan Project and Cold War. This special, virtual speaker series was free to all Atomic History Patrons and museum members attended at half-price while members of the public paid the standard admission cost for all virtual events.

The Atomic History Speaker Series began with a presentation by our Vice President of the Board of Trustees, Zabrina Johal, Senior Director of Strategic Development with General Atomics. She spoke about current advances in nuclear energy and the role that the nucleus will play in the future. In October, the museum hosted a special event to celebrate the 30th Anniversary of the Founding of the Atomic Museum Foundation that featured special appearances from Executive Director Jim Walther and emeritus board member and “Official Scrounger,” Hal Behl.

MUSEUM HAPPENINGS

Membership Events

The National Museum of Nuclear Science and History hosted several member-only events during FY22. The annual Spooky Science event in October welcomed 142 people to participate in engaging Halloweenthemed science activities, demonstrations, and to visit a face painter. Spring Into Science in April welcomed 110 people to enjoy radio controlled hot air balloons, the Smash Art Bus, and science activities led by our Junior Docents.

Einstein Society members were invited to a variety of events including “Cheers and Charcuterie” at Marble Brewery and our “Ugly Sweater Bingo” held at the museum in 2021. In January of 2022 we had a dinner at The Electric Playhouse and attended a tapas cooking class at Cinnamon Café in February. “Spring Fling Bingo” at the museum in April and Happy Hour on the rooftop of Hotel Parq Central in May were both well attended.

GRANTS

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History gratefully acknowledges grant support received from PNM Resources Foundation, FHL Foundation, Association of Air Force Missileers, Sandia National Laboratories, Nusenda Credit Union Foundation, New Mexico Oil and Gas Association via Albuquerque Community Foundation, New Mexico Historical Records Advisory Board (NMHRAB), Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES) and Smithsonian Affiliations, Amazon Web Services (AWS), and New Mexico Humanities Council (NMHC).

Sandia National Laboratories generously supported the Museum’s special initiatives, Nuclear Science Week and Discover STEAM Week. Nusenda Credit Union Foundation and New Mexico Oil and Gas Association (NMOGA) supported the Museum in providing free transportation, museum access, and STEAM programming to Title I Schools through the Einstein Express program. The Museum reduced their energy usage with the support from PNM Resources Foundation by upgrading to energy efficient refrigerators and purchasing a new laptop that has allowed Collections staff to increase efficiency and streamline production of digital resources and programs. Through support from the New Mexico Historical Records Advisory Board (NMHRAB), the Museum was able to digitize and preserve over 350 VHS tapes from the second half of the twentieth century. Amazon Web Services (AWS) contributed to the Atomic Heritage Foundation Website Migration project.

The New Mexico Humanities Council (NMHC), through a federal passthrough subaward from the National Endowment for the Humanities, the FHL Foundation, and the Ginger Lew and Lenny Ehn gift offered by the Smithsonian Travelling Exhibition Service (SITES), funded the special exhibition, “Righting a Wrong: Japanese Americans and World War II.” The exhibition was developed by the National Museum of American History and adapted for travel by the Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service (SITES). “Righting a Wrong” examines the complicated history and impact of Executive Order 9066 that led to the displacement and incarceration of Japanese Americans and Japanese Nationals following the attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II. Smithsonian Affiliations provided the Museum with a unique opportunity to host the Observing with NASA Kiosk and the ability to provide supplemental programming. The Association of Air Force Missileers supported the completion of the LGM-30 Minuteman I Intercontinental Ballistic restoration project in Heritage Park.

FINANCIALS

MEMBERS

Einstein Membership

Peter Thimmesch & Lauren Owensby

Curie Membership

Hal Behl

Dr. L Wayne & LeAnne Brasure

Ryan Brasure

Laurence & Priscilla Costin

Michael Hartshorne

Dr. Michael F. Hartshorne & Dr. Lida Crooks

Duane L. Hughes

Erika Hughes

Gary & Yolanda King

Ronald Knief & Pamela Hurd-Knief

Dr. Timothy Koeth

Wayne & Mary Pat Laslie

Judith Mead

Robert Milne & Ann DeHart

Keith & Shirley Tolk

Oppenheimer Membership

Dave Bailey & Donese Mayfield

Barry Berkson

Henry & Jennifer Bohnhoff

Joe Brown

Ralph Skip Brown

Leonard & Patricia Duda

Roger & Donna Hagengruber

Alexander & Rebecca Kenny

Augustine & Mary Letto

Jerilynn Loeber

Marcus Mims

Michael & Judith Muldawer

Chelanna O’Brien

Leslie Phinney

John D. Shaw & Ms. Janice Lehmann-Shaw

Lanny & Rebecca Sigler

Dr. Linda Smith, MD

Dan & Jennifer Talso

Warner Talso

Ronald & Mary Thompson

Fermi Membership

Jerry Adams

JoAnn Albrecht

Dr. Robert Amme

Anna & Matthew Berg

Peter & Kirsten Bilan

Robert & Suzanne Busch

Niels Chapman & Ruth Burstrom

Michael R. Clager

James Culpepper

William Culver & Karen Yamamoto

Michael Cutter

John & Anne Freund

Kat & Nate Grady

William & Tracie Jansen

Anthony Lupinetti & Joanna Fair

Maurice (Mac) McCloskey

Charles Rekerdres

Michael Rogholt

Joyce Scott

Tony & Maureen Sill

Matt Thompson & Sil Han

James & Celeste Walther

Wendell D. Weart

Dathan Weems

MEMBERS DONORS

Seaborg Membership

Raffi Andonian

Linda Anderson

Charles & Kami Arcudi

Gina and Jon Arsenault

Amalia & Kenneth Ayers

Gibson Batch

Ben & Darci Balkcom

Shannon Blaylock

Paul Bonaparte & Judy Pierson-Bonaparte

Christi Bond

Kevin Broderick & Karoline Bota

Donald & Molly Brunell

John H. Burke

Ralph Cannon

Shawna Chriss & Alistair Goodwin

Grant & Jackie Claycomb

Joseph & Kenneth Clough

Brian & Aleli Colon

Paul Cummings

Michael Cutter

David & Sandra Daffron

Elis & Susan Eberlein

D. Maxwell & Ruth Ellett

Kenny & Sarah Fair

Jeff & Kandice Favorite

Josiah & Carol Fidel

William and Jacklyn Flor

Dr. Gregg & Mara Franklin

Don & Julie Fraser

Leslie Fraser

Ron Freiheit

David Gay

Gerald Geise

Dr. Damon & Ellie Giovanielli

Kay Grant

Alex Gruenther

Matt &Jennifer Hayden

Donald & Joan Hendricks

Lee & Betty Higbie

Devin Hight

David & Toni Hiley

Lt. Col. Gary Hoe USAF & Ms. Penelope R. Hoe

Donald & Linda Holle

Ronald Hoskie

Dale & Barbara Irving

Zabrina Johal

Sue Jollensten

Madison Jones

P. Andrew Karam

Roger & Linda Kennedy

Dr. Charles & Beverly Key

Karl Koeppen

Richard Larson

Patrick Lofy

Cherokee & Brian Loughridge

John Loukota

Judy Love

Anthony Lucero & Ms. Elisha Saavedra-Torres

Jeffery & Eileen Mahn

Felipe Mendoza

Rebecca Mann-Polston & Cody Polston

Cynthia & William Mantegna

Cecilia Marquez

Cacilia Masover

Roger & Kathleen McClellan

Mary McCormick & Suzanne Zakaria

Charles & Mary McCorvy

Helen McFeely

Patrick and Valerie McKinney

Ronald L. Miller

Greg Morrison

Dr. Christopher Perfetti

Ann Phillips

Leslie Phinney

John Pitcher

Jai Prasad

Abdiel Ramirez

Byron and Linda Ristvet

Janet Saiers

Milo Schield

Elena & David Seaberg

Richard & Therese Sears

Steve Sherman

Robert and Margaret Singer

Jennifer Thompson & Shane Galloway

Laura Tolleson

Andrew Tompkins & Jackalie Blue

Greg & Sara Trujillo

Dennis and Terry Walker

Jeffrey West

Janusz & Brahna Wilczynski

Kelly & Shawn Wolf

E.D. (Charlie) Zaffery

Stephanie Zenn

DONORS

$500-$999

Shander & Michael Bawden

Barry Berkson

Harris L. Hartz

Judith Hendrickson

Megan Hill

Ronald Knief & Pamela Hurd-Knief

Dr. Christopher Perfetti

Adam S. Rubinson

Sara Sternberger

Ralph Trigg

David Wargowski

$1,000-$4,999

Aerospace Corporation

American Society of Radiologic Technologists

Assoc. of Air Force Missileers

Ben & Darci Balkcom

Ralph Skip Brown

Century Bank

Niels Chapman & Ruth Burstrom

Erin Chisolm

Chris Clouser

Brian & Aleli Colon

Laurence & Priscilla Costin

Anthony Lupinetti & Joanna Fair

Dayra Fallad-Mendoza

Gregg Franklin

Dr. Damon Giovanielli

Katrina Groth

Dixie Hanks

David & Toni Hiley

Martin K. Holland

Duane L. Hughes

Independent Community Foundation

William & Tracie Jansen

Dave & Cheryl Johnson

Madison Jones

Mary Jane Kaye

Wayne & Mary Laslie

Charles W. Lowery II

Anthony Lucero & Elisha Saavedra-Torres

Ed & Kay Marinaro

Judith Mead

Dr. Stephen Milton & Dr. Sandra Biedron

New Mexico Humanities Council

Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station

Leslie Phinney

Abdiel Ramirez

Alison K. Schuler

Robert & Margaret Singer

John & Kristine Stichman

TechSource, Inc

The Education Plan

Thomas A. Tumolillo & Pamela J. Sullivan

Jesse Turley, III

University of Maryland

Urenco USA

James & Celeste Walther

$5,000-$50,000

Atomic Heritage Foundation

Hal Behl

Joan Bowen

Robert & Suzanne Busch

FHL Foundation, Inc.

General Atomics

Scott Goodman

Kirtland Federal Credit Union

Dr. Timothy Koeth

Nusenda Credit Union

PNM

Rensselaer University

Sandia National Laboratories

Smithsonian Institution

Traveling Exhibition Service

Over $50,000

Fidelity Foundation

Sandy Wick