OSFA Book Club 2024 A Nuclear Family: Coming of Age in Oppenheimer’s Secret City by Ellen Bradbury-Reid and E. Marshall Wilder Friday, May 10th, 2024 4-6pm Travel Bug Bookstore (839 Paseo de Peralta) With Special Guest: Ellen Bradbury-Reid, the author
This book is a collection of remembrances and stories about the early days of Los Alamos, NM and the development of the first atomic bombs. It is primarily told through the eyes of Ellen Wilder, a 6-year-old child whose father was sent by the Navy to a secret city in remote New Mexico and was directed by Robert Oppenheimer to help with the development of the explosive lens system that was needed to detonate the highly radioactive plutonium core of the weapon that was named Fat Man. There are numerous sub stories and histories told in the book concerning the people in and around Los Alamos, including the local Indians and Hispanics, as well as the scientists and engineers that did the work. Ellen, her father and family were fortunate enough to be able to closely interact with many of these key people that were able to develop the bombs in secrecy, given an essentially unlimited budget, but not knowing if the task was even possible and especially not knowing when the weapon had to be ready.
For the May 10th meeting, please read as much of the book as you are able.
We ask you purchase the book at a local bookseller if possible (including the Travel Bug). See you on the 10th!
Members in good standing receive a print copy via mail. Consider renewing your membership today!
SeniorCorp Volunteer and OSFA Executive Director work a brush mower over tumbleweeds at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery on Thursday, Oct 19th, 2023
OSFA Volunteer Efforts at Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery
The Old Santa Fe Association is helping SeniorCorps/Retired Senior Volunteer Program clean up Our Lady of Guadalupe Cemetery (on Early Street). OSFA executive director Adam Johnson and board member John Eddy brought a brush mower to the site for an initial pass.
Also take a look at some past issues:
The Old Santa Fe Association is the premier historic preservation organization of the southwestern United States of America. We were founded in 1926 by a group of like-minded residents, artists, writers and architects, in an attempt to protect the unique flavor, built environment and culture of Santa Fe, New Mexico.
As we approach our centennial as an organization we continue to be guided by a volunteer board comprised once again of artists, writers, architects and law professionals along with a diverse representation of our special community.