Discover how Hanford was involved in WWII as the history behind one of the U.S. Government’s most important secret war projects, also known as the Manhattan Project, unfolds. Visit CREHST Museum to discover the power of nuclear energy as Hanford, one of three “Secret Cities”, is revealed …continue reading about Hanford History
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Upon arriving in the CREHST Museum parking lot, you will be greeted by a rolling piece of Hanford history…the Hanford Transport Bus! From 1953-1979 Hanford workers would board the GMC bus to make the round trip trek from Richland and surrounding areas to the 586 square mile nuclear reservation. …continue reading about Hanford Bus
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Begin your visit to CREHST Museum by viewing some of the indigenous wildlife of the Columbia Basin Valley. From ring-necked pheasant, coyotes, goshawks and mule deer, you can come face to face with the wildlife that inhabits this rich, fertile area. See if you can find the rattlesnake!
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The rich, fertile land of the Columbia Basin was first inhabited in the early 1800’s by Native American people, the “Chemnapums”. It wasn’t until 1878 when Ben and Mary Rosencrance homesteaded 1,700 acres on the north side of the Yakima River that this remote fertile area would begin to realize its potential. …continue reading about Three Faces of Richland
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At the height of World War II, 51,000 employees of the Hanford Engineer Works each contributed to the war effort by donating a day’s wages for the construction of a Boeing B-17 bomber. …continue reading about Day’s Pay
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In 1991 several hundred historical signs were found in a pit located on the Hanford site. Dating back to the dawn of the Atomic Age, several of these original signs are now on permanent exhibit at CREHST Museum. One of the signs is a profile of Hitler which hung on the outside of the Savings Bond building. …continue reading about Signs of the Times
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The first full-scale plutonium production reactor in the world, Hanford’s B-Reactor, was constructed in 1943. Designed to produce the powerful and devastating fuel used for nuclear bombs, Hanford’s B and K Reactors used metallic natural uranium, a graphite core and a water cooling system to make the first advances in nuclear fission history to produce plutonium. …continue reading about Hanford Reactors
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CREHST Museum’s Science Lab presents the wonders of cutting-edge science right at visitors’ fingertips. From intelligent touch screen computers to interactive labs throughout the exhibit, there’s something for everyone: launch an object with a catapult, power a motor with your bare hands, solve math problems using a life-sized Abacus, and more! Visit often as these exhibits change frequently. …continue reading about Science Lab
Back to top»CREHST is proud to showcase an expanded mural of Northwest Geology showing the Cascade volcanic activity and its relationship to the Northwest junction of the continental and oceanic plates. Dr. Stephen Reidel provided scientific material for the artwork by Cynthia Shaw. …continue reading about Geological History of the Northwest
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As you descend the stairway from the lobby at CREHST, you’ll take a figurative trip into the Columbia and have the chance to examine detailed models of the many different fish that call the Columbia River their home. …continue reading about Fish Species of the Columbia River
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