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On display: Life during the Cold War

R ecently, Georgia Southern University post-graduate student
Jessica Forsee created a special exhibit for the SRS
Museum, featuring life during the Cold War at the
Savannah River Plant (SRP), now known as SRS.
The SRS Curation Facility selected and provided, on
loan, a range of artifacts.
“Learning how to tell the story of SRS through
objects is incredibly important when it comes to
exhibit curation,” said Forsee. “Getting to bring to
life the experiences of the everyday worker at
SRS during the Cold War made our ‘Nuclear
Culture’ exhibit such an exciting project from
the beginning.
“Right from the start, my internship at the
SRS Museum taught me how to take the
technical and scientific accomplishments in surrounding counties. Partnering with
of SRS employees and add in humanities the SRS Museum, primarily through the
interpretation to bring to life the larger loaning of artifacts, has been a successful
history of SRS during the Cold War,” method toward staying in touch and available
she said.
to those outside the fence. The museum is a
Melissa Hanson, Curator at the SRS Curation Facility, wonderful asset for everyone to enjoy,” said Hanson.
expressed her admiration for the work accomplished by According to SRNS Program Manager Andy Albenesius,
Forsee, stating that the insight into the day-to-day life of the SRNS and the Curation Facility strongly support the
average SRS worker during those high stress years at home and at SRS Museum. Public Outreach is a fundamental part of the
work, in an isolated environment, was interesting and revealing. program, and the museum is the primary vehicle for sharing the
“It was a much different world then, especially during the height of Site history.
the Cold War in the 1950s and early 60s,” said Hanson. “We carefully “It’s a convenient location for visitors to experience the diverse and
selected about 20 artifacts that we thought would best help Jessica important role SRS employees played all through the Cold War in
depict the ‘nuclear culture’ of the times as she defines it.”
defense of our nation,” said Albenesius. “Jessica’s highly valued
These loaned items included a United Way cup, DuPont Security exhibit shows an important side of life at SRS only the employees
patch, 1950s film about SRP, a catcher’s mask, bowling scorecards, of that time were able to experience.”
security badges and a wooden bat with “D SHIFT” engraved on it.
Hanson noted that a part of the exhibit demonstrated how SRP
officials at the time often reached out Savannah River
to residents of local communities Site Museum
to ensure the general public felt
at ease with the nearby nuclear Established in 2015 for
facilities, stressing the interpretation and
an emphasis on preservation of Site history,
safety and the especially during
importance of the Cold War
plant missions.
•
“Public outreach Developed by the SRS
is a valued and Heritage Foundation, which
significant part of was chartered in 2005
what we do at the SRS •
Curation Facility, and the For more information, visit
COVID-19 pandemic has srsheritagemuseum.org
limited our normal interface
with employees and those living