September 14:  Albert Bartlett discusses his “Recollections of Operation Crossroads.” In the summer of 1946, the Crossroads tests were performed to gauge the effect of nuclear weapons on naval ships. The series consisted of two detonations, each with a yield of 23 kilotons: Able was detonated at an altitude of 520 feet on July 1, 1946; Baker was detonated 90 feet underwater on July 25, 1946. A third burst, Charlie, planned for 1947, was canceled primarily because of the Navy's inability to decontaminate the target ships after the Baker test. Personnel from Los Alamos participated in these experiments.

October 12: Paul Hutton, history professor at UNM’s main campus in Albuquerque, will discuss “Kit Carson.” The talk will examine “How Legend Clashes With Reality on the American Frontier.” Professor Hutton’s book, Phil Sheridan and His Army (1985), received the Billington Prize from the Organization of American Historians, the Evans Biography Award, and the Spur Award from the Western Writers of America.  Hutton is a frequent contributor to PBS television’s popular series, “American Experience.”

November 9: Chick Keller will examine the changing role of the Los Alamos Laboratory – from the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory to the Los Alamos National Laboratory.  He will look at non-defense related scientific research at the facilities including laser science and climate modeling. 

December 4:  WINTERFEST in Los Alamos.  This annual celebration has grown to include activities all around town.  Come visit the Historical Society’s table in the Pajarito Room of Fuller Lodge to see new toys, books and games from the fine selection of gifts available in our Museum Shop.  The day culminates with the Annual Light Parade on Central Avenue.

January 11, 2011:  Todd Urbatsch, “Bengt Carlson: Supercomputers and Apple Wine.” Urbatsch fondly and respectfully tells the tale of a giant in the world of super-computing who was equally proud of his homegrown, award-winning apple wine as he was of his computational accomplishments.

February 8:  Ron Barber, LANL scientist, will speak on “Stone Calendars.”  Learn how ancient people marked the seasons by use of petroglyphs that align with unique shadows used to mark the time of year of the winter and summer solstices, equinoxes, cross-quarters, and other indigenous dates.  Many such sites can be found on the Pajarito Plateau and far beyond.  The presentation will include the regional design variations and the design evolution of Stone Calendars over time leading to very high precision solar measurements.

March 8: Manhattan Project Memories: Panel Discussion Several members of the scientific and technical teams that were part of the Manhattan Project will reflect on civilian, military and scientific life at “Project Y.”

April 12: D. Ray Smith, “Stories from the Secret City of Oak Ridge.” In 2010, Y-12 National Security Complex historian Smith hosted the opening of Building 9731, the Pilot Facility. It was the first building completed at Y-12 in March, 1943. Members of the public were able to the see the world’s only Alpha Calutron Magnets (over 20 feet tall). Smith has also lectured on Oak Ridge history at the University of Tennessee and Vanderbilt University.

May 11: Annual Meeting and Ice Cream Social featuring Steve Stoddard.  Retired LANL Scientist and former NM State Senator (’80 – ’92) Stoddard was a young participant in World War II.  His memories and his amazing collection of weapons and military insignia, flags, helmets, patches, photographs, and diaries are a treasure that will be part of our co-sponsored exhibit next month at Mesa Public Library.