80th anniversary of Manhattan Project event Saturday; Scarboro Fun Day

The Oak Ridge Heritage and Preservation Association and the Scarboro Community Alumni Committee have planned an all-day community celebration on Saturday to mark the 80th anniversary of the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge and the 67th anniversary of the desegregation of Oak Ridge Schools.

The Oak Ridge History Museum, 102 Robertsville Road, will be open to the public with free admission from 10 a.m. until 3 p.m. The Museum has a focus on the Manhattan Project in Oak Ridge and life in Oak Ridge during the war years. It also includes an exhibit celebrating the desegregation of Oak Ridge Schools and honoring the 85 students who made history in 1955. A silent auction will run throughout the day of historic items, according to a news release.

From 10 a.m. until 9 p.m. the Scarboro Community Center, 148 Carver Ave., will be the location of “It Just Takes 85," a Scarboro Community Fun Day with food, games, music, a football challenge, Pass-Run-Kick, 3-on-3 basketball, and other activities for the entire family. All proceeds from this event will support the "Scarboro 85" Scholarship Endowment.

ORHPA will culminate the 80th celebration with an evening of music and historic information at the Historic Grove Theater in Grove Center. Admission is free, but donations to ORHPA are welcome. Doors will open at 6:30 p.m., with entertainment provided by the Oak Ridge High School Performing Arts Students beginning at 7 p.m.

Following a 1940s-style radio program by the ORHS students, the program will culminate with Atomic Heritage Foundation President Cynthia C. Kelly speaking on “How Oak Ridge Changed the World: Reflections on 80 Years." She will be introduced by Jim Campbell, former president of the East Tennessee Economic Council.

In September 1942, Oak Ridge was chosen to play a critical role in the Manhattan Project that led to the creation of the atomic bombs dropped on Japan. Kelly's talk will reflect on how Oak Ridge changed the world, according to the release.

With colorful first-hand accounts, the presentation will highlight leaders such as Kenneth Nichols, Clarence Larson, and Percival Keith, as well as younger recruits including Bill Wilcox, Sam Beall, Colleen Black, and Virginia Coleman. From a few thousand farming families to a population of 75,000 three years later, this "secret city" in East Tennessee helped end WWII and left a legacy of innovation in science and technology that continues today. It's a story well worth remembering.

The community is invited to all of these events.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Celebrate 80th anniversary of Manhattan Project