New Exhibit Explores Lincoln County’s Role in the Atomic Age and the Legacy of the Trinity Test

Carrizozo, N.M. — The Carrizozo Heritage Museum will shed light on the lasting impact of the first atomic bomb test on nearby Lincoln County and its residents, with a new exhibit opening this spring. “Atomic Dawn: Lincoln County, Trinity, and the Bomb” will debut on March 22, 2025, and is presented in partnership with the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium (TBDC).

The exhibition will explore the historical, environmental, and personal consequences of the Trinity Test, conducted in July 1945 in the New Mexico desert. Visitors will gain a deeper understanding of the region’s role in nuclear history through a collection of artifacts, archival photographs, and interactive displays. The opening event is scheduled for 10:00 AM on March 22, 2025, at the Carrizozo Heritage Museum. The project is made possible by major funding from the Community Foundation of Lincoln County.

The Trinity Test marked the beginning of the atomic age, forever altering the tactics of the Great Power Competition between the United States and the Soviet Union. However, its repercussions extended far beyond the Manhattan Project's laboratories. Many residents of Lincoln County and surrounding areas were unknowingly exposed to radiation, a reality that would only become apparent decades later. The exhibit aims to highlight the test's human cost, particularly its impact on those who lived in the Tularosa Basin at the time.

A key component of the exhibition is the involvement of the Tularosa Basin Downwinders Consortium. This grassroots organization has spent years advocating for individuals affected by radiation exposure from the Trinity Test. Many locals have reported significant health issues believed to be linked to radioactive fallout, and the TBDC continues to seek justice and recognition for those impacted. Their participation in the exhibit brings a crucial and personal perspective to the story, ensuring that the voices of affected communities are heard.

For the Carrizozo Heritage Museum, this exhibition aligns with its mission to preserve and share the diverse history of Carrizozo and Lincoln County. The museum has long been a hub for exploring the region’s past, from Native American heritage to the rise and fall of the passenger railroad. With the addition of “Atomic Dawn,” the museum expands its focus to include the scientific and geopolitical history of the atomic age and its effects on local communities.

“Atomic Dawn: Lincoln County, Trinity, and the Bomb” opens to the public on March 22, 2025, at the Carrizozo Heritage Museum. The ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at 10:00 AM. For more information, visit the museum’s Facebook page or contact Museum Director Dennis Bateman at batemandennis@yahoo.com.

Carrizozo Heritage Museum, 103 12th Street, Carrizozo, NM 88301-8015
Tel.: 575-937-6555