Manhattan Project Era Dormitory

Manhattan Project Era Dormitory. Los Alamos Historic District Walking Tour. Built during the Manhattan Project, this 40-person dormitory is one of the few remaining World War Il-era buildings in Los Alamos. Construction drawings date from April 1943. Dormitory buildings like this one housed single military men and scientists, teachers, the Women's Army Corp (WAC), and visitors. Stories of wartime parties and other antics from young military personnel have been captured in numerous oral history interviews over the years, preserved by the Los Alamos Historical Society. From the 1950s through the early 2000s, some dorms-including this one-were used as churches. The dormitory is an asset of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park. Los Alamos County acquired the property in 2019, with a goal of renovating the building and providing interpretation for the public to learn more about the project and the people who lived here., Below: Aerial photo of Los Alamos with the dormitories in the foreground, circa late 1940s. (photos courtesy Los Alamos Historical Society) Right top to bottom: Manhattan Project personnel socializing in the Day Room of the dormitory, circa 1940s; Women gathered in one of the dorm rooms. A typical dorm room contained two beds, bookshelf, dresser, chair and a door to a shared bathroom with the adjacent room; This dormitory shortly after World War II. (photos courtesy LANL), Pick up a copy of the Historical Walking Tour Guide at the Los Alamos History Museum, Bradbury Science Museum, Los Alamos Nature Center, any of the Visitor Centers, or one of the visitor guide kiosks around town. Download one by scanning the QR code, or go to visitlosalamos.org.