Conduct Archival Research to Enhance Understanding of Manhattan Project at Hanford
Project ID: P25AC00365
Federal Agency: National Park Service
Partner Institution: Washington State University
Fiscal Year: 2025
Initial Funding: $49,401
Total Funding: $49,401
Project Type: Research
National Park: Manhattan Project National Historic Park
Principal Investigator: Franklin, Robert
Agreement Technical Representative: Burghart, Rebecca
Alternative Project Title: Manhattan Project National Historical Park Hanford Unit
Abstract:
Performance Goals
The goal of this project is to research the lesser-known histories of the women who contributed to the Manhattan Project at Hanford. This goal will be achieved through archival research, oral history interviews, identification of primary source materials including oral histories, documents, and historic photos, and development of an archival resources index. The research findings will be used to develop public history products including articles, profiles, oral history vignettes, and a curated image gallery. The project will be carried out by professors and students at Washington State University (WSU) in collaboration with NPS Manhattan Project National Historical Park (MAPR)
Project Objectives
Investigators from WSU and NPS staff will collaborate to accomplish the following objectives:
- Locate archival primary source materials and build on existing scholarship and public history projects to document experiences of women at Hanford during the Manhattan Project and explore links to the broader national narrative of World War II.
- Help ensure that the local, regional, and national significance of the experiences of Manhattan Project workers are recognized when the park develops cultural resource documentation, management and interpretation plans, and interpretive products.