Overview, update on Manhattan Project National Historical Park

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge welcomes the community to Lunch with the League from noon until 1 p.m. Tuesday, April 5.

In an effort to keep everyone safe during this time of pandemic, the meeting will again be virtual. Those who desire to gain access to the meeting may do so by following the instructions provided at the close of this article.

Kris Kirby, superintendent of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park, will be the featured speaker. The Manhattan Project National Historical Park encompasses Oak Ridge, Tenn., Los Alamos, N.M., and Hanford, Wash. The park was established in November 2015 to preserve portions of three World War II sites where the U.S. developed the world’s first atomic weapons. Kirby will talk about the Park: its history, current operations, and its future — among other topics, according to a League news release.

Kirby obtained a bachelor’s degree in political science from Metropolitan State University of Denver and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Nevada Las Vegas. She started her career with the National Park service as a concessions management assistant and has spent most of her career managing commercial services at several of the larger parks, including Glacier and Yosemite National Parks and Lake Mead National Recreation Area.

"Fostering relationships inside and outside the National Park Service has been one of Superintendent Kirby’s strengths," the League of Women Voters stated.

Kirby began her duties as superintendent of the Manhattan Project National Historical Park in October 2016.

In an article for the Los Alamos Daily Post, Sept. 3, 2016, she said, “I look forward to the opportunity to partner with the Department of Energy and work with the local communities of Hanford, Los Alamos, and Oak Ridge, to share the complex story of the Manhattan Project and its significant impact on history.”

Lunch with the League welcomes League members and nonmembers alike to this informative presentation. For instruction on linking to the live presentation, contact maryannreeves1@att.net. All League members will receive an email with the zoom link prior to the meeting. A couple of days following the presentation, you may view the recorded presentation on the League’s website (https://my.lwv.org/tennessee/oak-ridge).

The League of Women Voters of Oak Ridge is a nonpartisan political organization for men and women, the release stated. It encourages informed and active participation in government, works to increase understanding of major public policy issues, and influences public policy through education and advocacy.

This article originally appeared on Oakridger: Overview and Update on Manhattan Project National Historical Park