Fundraising Success

It was one of the biggest movies last year, and because of the hype, it didn’t take long to recognize the work of J. Robert Oppenheimer. He’s known by many as the “father of the atomic bomb,” and his leadership helped guide the Manhattan Project. A top-secret mission that was based in Los Alamos, New Mexico. It’s also where Oppenheimer lived for some time. “When you walk into this house, you can feel the aura. It is just really kind of an interesting thing,” Leslie Linke, head of the financial committee with the Los Alamos Historical Society, said.The picture above shows just some of the home’s features. The house was built in 1929 and contains a stone masonry, a grand fireplace, and huge windows. However, the photos above show a different story. Electrical upgrades, foundation stabilization, and floor and roof repairs are just some of the many renovations that are now needed. A true example of how time can take a toll.”We have to pour concrete stem walls on all three sides,” Cherie Trottier, chair of the Oppenheimer House Renovation Fund, said. “Install helical piers. Put in new cross beams. Those are just the very basic things.”That’s why the Los Alamos Historical Society is coming together. They recently launched a major fundraising campaign to restore the iconic house. Their efforts target the current $2 million estimate for total restoration, with Phase 1 at $900,000 covering critical elements.Once restored, the Oppenheimer House will open to the public as part of the Los Alamos History Museum. To preserve its historical essence, the group is partnering with the Santa Fe architectural firm, MASS Design Group, historic architects, and expert restoration professionals to undertake the endeavor. This, as tourism continues to boom in the city. “It’s been tremendous. I don’t know. 50% more? 100% more? It’s been incredible,” Linke said. “Starting in the summer, instead of one tour a day we started offering three a day, and they were full.”From a look into the mysterious world of nuclear weapons to the complex mind of Oppenheimer. All to preserve a true, New Mexico treasure. “This will be a museum that tells the story of J. Robert Oppenheimer. Not just the Manhattan Project era, but a much broader story about him and being one of those important people in history,” Trottier said. “This is a place that we hope people will continue to come to, to learn about the history.”To find out how you can help, visit the Los Alamos Historical Society’s website here.