Los Alamos History Museum

The Los Alamos Historical Society manages the Los Alamos History Museum in the heart of downtown Los Alamos.

Built as an infirmary in 1918 and later used as the guest cottage for Los Alamos Ranch School, the museum is in the oldest continually occupied structure in town. During the Manhattan Project (1943 to 1947), the cottage continued to serve as guest quarters, notably for General Leslie R. Groves, commander of the Manhattan Engineer District, whose office and residence were in Washington, D.C.

Now it serves as an award-winning, comprehensive history museum. A book and gift shop also fill a former bedroom. Visiting the self-guided museum can take up to 45 minutes – depending on the level of detail you are interested in.

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Highlights:

• Exhibits on early settlers, homesteading life, and Northern New Mexico history
• In-depth storytelling from the Manhattan Project and “Secret City” era
• Historic photographs, artifacts, and archival materials
• Rotating exhibits showcasing local artists and cultural heritage

Walking Tours of Los Alamos

The Los Alamos History Museum offers the History of the Secret City, an outdoor guided walking tour through the Historic District that covers all six eras of Los Alamos history. Tours last 1½ to 2 hours, all pathways are ADA accessible, and kids can borrow a Kid Tour Backpack for a more engaging experience.

Visitors will step inside the homestead-era Romero Cabin, visit a nearby Ancestral Pueblo site, learn about the Los Alamos Ranch School, and hear stories about the giants of 20th-century physics. The tour also reveals how Bathtub Row got its name and why J. Robert Oppenheimer and General Leslie Groves selected Los Alamos as the Manhattan Project’s Secret City. Seasonal tours are also offered about local espionage.

Tour schedule:

• May–October: Monday–Friday at 10 a.m. and 1:30 p.m., Saturday at 11 a.m.

• November–March: Monday–Friday at 11 a.m.

• April: Monday–Saturday at 11 a.m.

Tickets & admission:

• $25 per person, including museum admission

• Children 18 and under are free with a ticketed adult

• Tickets available at the museum shop

Don't need a guide for the history tour? Pick up a brochure in one of our kiosks around town or download a copy now.