Department of Energy Reading Room: History

DOE Guide

The Savannah River Site (SRS) Museum preserves the fascinating history of South Carolina’s role in winning the Cold War through stories and artifacts from the atomic age. Formerly known as the Savannah River Plant, SRS was constructed in the 1950s to produce nuclear materials in support of our nation’s defense. The museum showcases the rich heritage of safety, security, technical and scientific achievements, and ecological research accomplishments of the nuclear age and beyond.

The main museum also contains some exhibits relating to the history of the Savannah River Site and the displaced residents of Ellenton, Dunbarton, Meyers Mill, and Leigh.

This free tour educates the public about the Savannah River site operations, facilities, and workers, as well as some of the site's history. Guests are taken on a tour of the University of Georgia's Ecology Lab, Curation facility, historic Dunbarton town site, and reactor C.

Historic walking tour of Ellenton, South Carolina. Residents of Ellenton and Dunbarted where relocated after recieving an eminent domain from the federal government to clear these towns for the creation of the Savannah River Site during the Cold War.

Contains both recent and historic photos

Library of Congress