History of the NTS

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The Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation, was established on April 15, 1998. The Foundation is partnering with the U.S. Department of Energy and the Desert Research Institute to build a research center, records repository, and display area, the Nevada Atomic Testing History Institute (NATHI). The NATHI will consolidate, preserve, and make accessible to the public historical and archival records, films, and photographs, as well as testing and archeological artifacts associated with the Nevada Test Site.

The purpose of this Web site is to introduce you to the work of the Nevada Test Site Historical Foundation and its partners. We are dedicated to preserving and displaying the documents and artifacts relating to the history of nuclear device testing, nuclear rocket engine development, and other nuclear experiments of the United States.

NATHI BUILDING PLANS MOVE AHEAD

Representatives of the Nevada Test Site (NTS) Historical Foundation, U.S.
Department of Energy (DOE), and Desert Research Institute (DRI) are actively
pursuing mutual agreements and funding for construction of an envisioned
Nevada Atomic Testing History Institute (NATHI) building.

The proposed facility located on the northeast corner of DRI's property at Swenson and Flamingo Streets in Las Vegas. The 48,000-square foot joint use facility will house DOE's Coordination and Information Center documents from the nuclear testing era, archaeological research areas, and a nuclear testing education/exhibit area.

The DOE and DRI are collaborating to fund the building construction. The
building is projected to cost approximately $10.9 million for 48,000 square
feet. DRI will request $2.5 million in state funds for 10,000 square feet of
office and laboratory space. The balance of $8.4 million would be funded
through revenue bonds guaranteed by the General Services Administration (GSA)
based on guaranteed annual operating funds from DOE. The bonds would be
repaid through a 20-year lease with the GSA, including interest service.

A precedent for this concept has been set in Richland, Washington. There the
DOE's Consolidated Information Center merged the Washington State University
Tri-Cities library with the Hanford Technical Library, providing increased
access to expanded library assets. The Center also houses the DOE public
reading room, the Business Assistance Center, the University Center for
Professional Education, classrooms, and exhibit space.

The Richland 70,000-square foot facility opened in June 1997. The
collaboration between the University and DOE led to the state legislature
appropriating $1.4 million for design in 1994, and $14 million for
construction in 1995, with half ($7 million) of the construction costs
guaranteed by a unique lease with the GSA.

The reasons for consolidating the facilities were to make the collection more
accessible including after-hours and weekends; convenience; corporate
citizenship in the community; increased space and capabilities; expanded user
base; and modernization.

Please submit all questions and comments to Richard Nutley rnutley@lynxus.com