Los Alamos Historical Society Executive Director Todd Nichols and Assistant Director Kristen Hollis speaking at the Dec. 2 Kiwanis Club meeting at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church. Courtesy/Kiwanis
By BROOKE DAVIS
Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos
Los Alamos Historical Society Executive Director Todd Nichols and Assistant Director Kristen Hollis spoke at the Dec. 2 Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos meeting at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church. Their presentation outlined the mission of the organization and provided an update on its activities.
The society’s mission is to preserve, promote, and communicate the remarkable and inspiring stories of Los Alamos and its people for the community, for the global audience, and for future generations.
Nichols and Hollis explained that they run the Los Alamos History Museum and update and change its exhibits detailing the stories and perspectives from many eras: Ancestral, Homesteading, Los Alamos Ranch School, the Manhattan Project, and the Cold War.
Nearly 50 volunteers work for the historical society as docents for the museum buildings and gift shop, and as walking tour guides. The “Oppenheimer” movie and the interest it generated provided a boost in tourism to the community.
Prior to the movie, there were about 30,000 visitors per year. Following its release the numbers jumped to 55,000 to 60,000 visitors annually.
The Los Alamos Historical Society’s educational programs include a monthly public lecture series covering a variety of historical subjects and extensive free programs for students in elementary through high school. These programs include group tours, hands-on programs, and in-class visits.
The Oppenheimer House, built in 1929 of stone and beam construction, is undergoing major renovations to address and repair deterioration and structural issues. Nichols and Hollis said the Los Alamos Historical Society is looking forward to its completion and the implementation of new and visionary exhibits for the pubic to enjoy.
The next meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Los Alamos is Tuesday, Jan. 6 at Trinity on the Hill Episcopal Church, 3900 Trinity Drive.The meeting includes an optional lunch at 11:30 a.m. with the meeting to be called to order at noon. To learn more, visit kiwanis.org.
To learn more about the Los Alamos Historical Society, visit losalamoshistory.org.