Tag Archives: trinity site

July 16, 2020 marks the 75^th Anniversary of an event that was destined to change the course of world history.

On that day in 1945, the United States secretly detonated the first atomic bomb at Trinity Site in New Mexico. World War II came to an end just months later during a 20 minute ceremony on the deck of the USS Missouri when Japan surrendered to the Allies.

As he affixed his signature to the agreement, the Supreme Commander of the Allies, General Douglas MacArthur, said, “It is my earnest hope and indeed the hope of all mankind that from this solemn occasion a better world shall emerge out of the blood and carnage of the past.”

Twice each year, people from around the world pay somber homage to the beginning of the atomic age by visiting Trinity Site, on the north end of White Sands Missile Range in Southern New Mexico.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History hosts a motor coach tour to the site as part of a fundraiser for its Foundation.  Local historians accompany guests on the coach, giving an in-depth talk on the bomb and its history, along with unique insight into local history.

Once on site, guests enjoy a brown bag lunch, visit to the McDonald House, where the final bomb assembly was performed, and go on a walking tour of Trinity Site. On the way back, guests wind down with an onboard movie and upon return to the museum are treated to a guided tour.

Trinity Site is open to the public twice each year, on the first Saturday in April and again on the first Saturday in October.

White Sands Missile Range hosts the annual events because this national historic site is on the north end of the normally highly restricted range. Special interpretation at the site is provided by Missile Range staff. All visitors must have government issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

“If you’ve never been to Trinity Site, this is the best way to travel there. On the coach, you’ll be able to relax and enjoy the trip comfortably and learn about the bomb and Trinity Site from our volunteer travel guides,” said Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll.

The roughly 140 mile round trip from Alamogordo to Trinity Site crosses through a large area of White Sands Missile Range. There are no facilities and no stopping along the route once the caravan has left Tularosa, although the museum’s motor coach does have onboard restrooms.

Limited advance tickets are on sale now through the museum’s marketing department or online, and include the round trip to Trinity Site, guided tour, brownbag lunch, and guided tour of the museum.

The ticket price is $85 per person, or $75 for museum members. In addition, the collectible book “Trinity Site: The History of an Atomic Bomb Historic Landmark” by local historian Jim Eckles is available for purchase when guests register online, or the book can be purchased separately at the museum gift shop.

To reserve tickets or for more information, call 575-437-2840 ext. 41132 or visit the museum’s website.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History, Smithsonian Affiliate, is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs.  For more information, call 575-437-2840 or toll free 1-877-333-6589 or visit the website at www.nmspacemuseum.org website or ‘like’ their Facebook page.

Ticket sales for the April 7^th Motorcoach Tour to Trinity Site are soaring and, in response, the New Mexico Museum of Space History has secured a third bus for the event.

“We’ve been pleasantly surprised at the response to this April’s tour and it marks the first time we’ve added a third coach,” said Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll. “Our first two coaches filled up within a very short period of time and there are a limited number of seats remaining in the third. I highly encourage anyone wishing to go, to book your seat as soon as soon as possible.” Registration is available on the museum’s website. The deadline for registration is Friday, March 23.

The Museum of Space History hosts a motorcoach tour to the site each April and October as part of a fundraiser for its Foundation.  Each coach will have a local historian on board, giving an in-depth talk on the bomb and its story, along with unique insight into local history. Once on site, guests enjoy a brown bag lunch, visit to the McDonald House and go on a walking tour of Trinity Site.

On the way back, there’s a special onboard showing of Trinity: The Atomic Bomb Movie. Once back in Alamogordo, guests will be treated to a guided tour of the Space Museum to wind up the day.

Trinity Site is open to the public twice each year, on the first Saturday in April and again on the first Saturday in October. White Sands Missile Range hosts the annual events because this national historic site is on the north end of the normally highly restricted range. Special interpretation at the site is provided by Missile Range staff.

All visitors must have government issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

Limited advance tickets are on sale now through the museum’s marketing department or online, and include the round trip to Trinity Site, guided tour, brownbag lunch, and guided tour of the museum. The ticket price is $75 per person, or $65 for museum members.

To reserve tickets or for more information, call 575-437-2840 ext. 41132 or visit the website.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs.  For more information, call 575-437-2840 or toll free 1-877-333-6589 or visit the website or Like their facebook page.

On July 16, 1945, a tremendous explosion in the New Mexico desert marked the beginning of the end of World War II. The world’s first atomic bomb was detonated on that day at Trinity Site, on the north end of what is now White Sands Missile Range.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History hosts a motor coach tour to the site each April and October as part of a fundraiser for its Foundation.  Museum volunteer and renowned local historian Pete Eidenbach will accompany guests on the coach, giving an in-depth talk on the bomb and its history, along with unique insight into local history.

Once on site, guests enjoy a brown bag lunch, visit to the McDonald House and go on a walking tour of Trinity Site. On the way back, Pete’s debriefing is highlighted with a special showing of the movie The Land of Space and Time.

Once at the museum, guests will be treated to a guided tour followed by reserved seating for an exclusive showing of Trinity: The Atomic Bomb Movie in the New Horizons Theater.

Trinity Site is open to the public twice each year, on the first Saturday in April and again on the first Saturday in October. White Sands Missile Range hosts the annual events because this national historic site is on the north end of the normally highly restricted range. Special interpretation at the site is provided by Missile Range staff.

All visitors must have government issued photo identification, such as a driver’s license or passport.

“If you’ve never been to Trinity Site, this is the way to travel. On the coach, you’ll be able to enjoy the trip comfortably and get a fascinating talk about the bomb and Trinity Site from our guest travel guide Pete Eidenbach,” said Museum Executive Director Chris Orwoll.

The roughly 140 mile round trip from Alamogordo to Trinity Site crosses through a large area of White Sands Missile Range. There are no facilities and no stopping along the route once the caravan has left Tularosa, although the museum’s motor coach does have onboard restrooms.

Limited advance tickets are on sale now through the museum’s marketing department or online, and include the round trip to Trinity Site, guided tour, brown bag lunch, guided tour of the museum, and reserved seating for the New Horizons Theater showing of Trinity: The Atomic Bomb Movie.

The ticket price is $70 per person, or $60 for museum members. To reserve your tickets or for more information, call 575-437-2840 ext. 41132 or visit nmspacemuseum.org.

The New Mexico Museum of Space History is a division of the NM Department of Cultural Affairs.  For more information, call 575-437-2840 or toll free 1-877-333-6589 or visit the website or visit the Facebook page.

Address + Map: 3198 State Rd 2001   |   Alamogordo, New Mexico, NM 88310