As the Department of Energy (DOE) Public Bus Tour celebrates its 30th year of operation, participants now have an exciting new opportunity on their journey through Oak Ridge’s historic “Secret City.” The tour now includes access to ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity, offering visitors a chance to explore a unique collection of artifacts showcasing the discovery and innovation of radiation science.
This new addition is made possible through a partnership with the American Museum of Science and Energy (AMSE), which organizes the popular tour. Billed as a one-of-a-kind experience, the DOE Public Bus Tour highlights the key sites of the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge, including the K-25 History Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory’s Quantum computer, the IQM Radiance Pathfinder system and the New Hope Visitor Center at the Y-12 National Security Complex. With the inclusion of ORAU’s museum, the tour now offers an even deeper dive into the scientific and historical legacy of Oak Ridge.
Until 2025, ORAU’s Museum of Radiation and Radioactivity was housed in a secure DOE facility and closed to the public. After relocating to a public building, the museum began hosting private groups, which received overwhelming positive feedback. This success led to expanded opportunities, including monthly Ranger Talks with the National Park Service (Beyond the Bomb: Stories of the Atomic Age, hosted by the Manhattan Project National Historical Park) and now its addition to the seasonal DOE Public Bus Tour.
The museum features more than 1,000 artifacts spanning a century—from the late 1890s to the 1990s—offering visitors a fascinating glimpse into the history of radiation and its impact on science, medicine and society. Notable exhibits include:
- A vintage shoe-fitting fluoroscope, illustrating the intersection of science and commerce.
- Turn-of-the-century “quack cures” marketed as remedies for ailments ranging from backaches to cancer.
- Items recovered from Hiroshima, Japan, following the atomic bomb that ended World War II.
- Civil defense products from the Cuban Missile Crisis era.
The DOE Public Bus Tour, which began in 1996, has educated tens of thousands of visitors about Oak Ridge’s pivotal role in World War II and the development of nuclear science. The tour’s 30th season kicked off on Monday, March 30, 2026, with a tentative schedule of operations on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays from late March through November.
Tour tickets include all-day admission to AMSE, providing an even richer experience for history and science enthusiasts. For tickets and additional details, visit Bus Tours – American Museum of Science and Energy.