radicallibrarygirl

B-Reactor was the first full-scale nuclear reactor in the world. Built in a period of 13 months, and finished in September of 1944, the reactor started production of plutonium around Christmas that year. A rich and very important part of not only American history, but world history, this reactor is under an ominous cloud that is threatening to cocoon it, if the B-Reactor Museum Association cannot find funding to turn this regal part of our history into a museum. Part of the 4-hour Hanford Nuclear Reservation tour includes a walkthrough tour of B-Reactor. A definate must-see for any WWII, history or science buff!

Rich with history, educational and quite entertaining, the Hanford Nuclear Reservation and public tours thereof was incredible!

The 4-hour public tour features a walkthrough of B-Reactor, the very first full-scale nuclear reactor in the world! You learn about the processes uranium ore goes through to become plutonium, in addition to learning about a very important part of American history. Also, they go into detail on their clean-up efforts around the Columbia basin.

The tours are free, but you have to register online through the Department of Energy’s Hanford web site. Educationally, it was well worth it!

I’m not a beer drinker, so I didn’t try their home brewed beers (they have a half-life hefe, an atomic amber, and a plutonium porter that are all brewed there), however their Atomic Ale’d red potato soup with bacon was TO DIE FOR! A bowl was GIGANTIC!! The pizza was also very very good. If you’re ever in Richland, swing by and grab a bite to eat. Wonderful place!