The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

What The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History does

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit museum located at 601 Eubank Blvd SE in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on federal property adjacent to Kirtland Air Force Base. Founded in 1971 (originally as the National Atomic Museum), it is the only congressionally chartered museum in the nuclear science and history field and operates as a Smithsonian Affiliate. The institution preserves and exhibits a collection that includes the only B-52 bomber known to have dropped an atomic weapon, a 120-piece Nuclear Defense Heritage Collection (over 40 artifacts newly public via the March 2026 Museum Artifact Center), the USS James K. Polk SSN 645 submarine sail, and one of the few surviving B-29 and B-47 airframes. Its physical footprint combines indoor galleries with a nine-acre outdoor Heritage Park, the largest publicly accessible aircraft collection in New Mexico.

The museum operates a diversified revenue model combining per-visitor admission ($24 adult, $22 senior/youth, $12 veteran/active military, free under 5; plus $10/$5 MAC add-on), tiered corporate memberships ($1,500-$6,000), facility rentals for weddings and corporate events, a museum store, commemorative bricks ($150), donations, and grants (notably a Meta community grant and a Visit Albuquerque tourism grant). Customer segments include families and general visitors, K-12 students and educators, corporate partners, underserved community members (Valencia County and Isleta Pueblo), and veterans and military enthusiasts. Programs span summer STEM camps, field trips, Mission Fission, Fusion Academy, STEM Kits for teachers, Science on Tap adult lectures, traveling exhibits for rent, and a For Kids, By Kids QR-code audio tour. Restoration of Heritage Park aircraft has been financed through Kickstarter and Indiegogo campaigns (516 and 86 backers respectively) and through volunteer labor from Sandia National Laboratories, Intel Encore Fellowship retirees, and Central New Mexico Community College aviation students.

The organization is governed by a Board of Trustees (recent additions include a Cal Poly nuclear physicist and a Contrary VC) and led by President and CEO Jennifer J. Hayden (appointed May 2023) with a newly elevated COO role (April 2026). Distribution is single-site in Albuquerque, with national reach via the Smithsonian Affiliate network and national industry programming such as Nuclear Science Week. The museum is not a technology company: it does not develop or license AI/ML systems, has no proprietary software product, and has no app, SDK, or API surface. Its competitive position rests on its congressionally chartered status, its unique artifact collection, and its institutional partnerships rather than on technology.

Name

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Legal name

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History

Website

https://nuclearmuseum.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1971

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is a 501(c)(3) Smithsonian Affiliate museum in Albuquerque that preserves and exhibits nuclear history artifacts and aircraft for the public, K-12 students, veterans, and corporate partners, generating revenue through admissions, memberships, grants, and facility rentals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Science Museum / Cultural Institution

NAICS

Museums, Historical Sites, and Similar Institutions (7121), Museums (712110)

akta.pro primary industry

Science & Technology Museums (THAJADAD)

Keywords

• Nuclear science exhibits
• Science museum education
• STEM educational programs
• Historical artifact preservation
• Heritage park displays

Headquarters

HQ city

Albuquerque

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Others, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Admission Fees: The museum generates revenue through paid admission fees for general museum entry and the Museum Artifact Center add-on. Ticket pricing varies by age group with standard adult admission at $24.
2. Membership Programs: Individual and corporate membership programs provide recurring revenue. Corporate tiers include Fission Friend ($1,500), Atomic Associate ($3,000), and Particle Partner ($6,000) with varying benefits including guest passes, event invitations, and free rentals.
3. Facility Rentals: The museum rents its facilities for private events including weddings, receptions, corporate dinners, and lectures, generating venue rental revenue.
4. Donations and Grants: As a 501(c)(3) non-profit, the museum receives donations from supporters and grants from organizations such as Meta (community grant) and Visit Albuquerque (tourism grant). Crowdfunding campaigns through platforms like Indiegogo and Kickstarter support specific restoration projects.
5. Commemorative Brick Program: The museum sells commemorative bricks for installation in Heritage Park, with SSN 645 James K. Polk Brick priced at $150, creating a memorial donations revenue stream.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit museum and Smithsonian Affiliate that operates indoor and outdoor exhibits on nuclear science and history, including a nine-acre Heritage Park and the Museum Artifact Center housing Cold War nuclear artifacts. It delivers paid general admission, STEM educational programs (summer camps, field trips, Mission Fission, Fusion Academy), adult lecture series, facility rentals, corporate memberships, and a museum store. The museum is the nation's only congressionally chartered museum in its field.

Product overview

The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History operates as a single-site physical museum with a diverse portfolio of exhibits, educational programs, and visitor services. The core offering is general museum admission providing access to indoor exhibits and outdoor Heritage Park featuring historic aircraft, missiles, and the submarine sail. Major attractions include the nine-acre Heritage Park outdoor exhibit area, the Museum Artifact Center (MAC) housing over 40 unclassified Cold War nuclear artifacts, and rotating special exhibits like American Nukes photography and WAVES/WACs/WASPs. The museum's education division offers Summer Break Camps, Field Trips, Mission Fission, and Fusion Academy programs. Additional revenue streams include Science on Tap adult lectures, corporate memberships (Particle Partner, Atomic Associate, Fission Friend tiers), facility rentals for events, a museum store, and commemorative brick sales. The For Kids, By Kids audio tour provides interactive digital engagement using QR codes and student-created content. Operation Preservation manages ongoing aircraft restoration projects for Heritage Park.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• General Museum Admission Standard museum entry with access to exhibits, Heritage Park outdoor area, and all indoor galleries. Adults $24, Seniors 60+ $22, Youth 6-17 $22, Veterans and Active Military $12 (spouse/partner and minor dependents), Children under 5 free. New Mexico residents receive special pricing with valid photo ID.
• Museum Artifact Center (MAC) Add-on Dedicated add-on facility housing over 40 preserved, unclassified nuclear weapons, handling equipment, and deployment systems from the Manhattan Project through the Cold War era, part of the museum's 120-piece Nuclear Defense Heritage Collection. Add-on pricing of $10 for adults and $5 for youth ages 6-17 to paid general museum admission; Museum members free.
• Science on Tap Lecture Series Adult-oriented evening lecture series featuring engaging scientists, researchers, and subject-matter experts discussing scientific and historical topics in a relaxed, social setting with beverages. $12 per person, attendees must be 21+.
• Summer Break Camps STEM-focused day camps for children running June 1 through August 7, featuring hands-on science activities and experiments related to nuclear science and history.
• Field Trips & School Outreach Educational field trip programs and school outreach initiatives including Mission Fission, Fusion Academy, and STEM Kits for teachers serving K-12 students and educators.
• Facility Rentals / Event Hosting Event venue rental services for weddings, receptions, corporate dinners, lectures, and parties. Includes facility setup, tables, and chairs at the museum's Albuquerque, New Mexico location.
• Corporate Membership Program Tiered annual corporate membership with benefits including guest passes, event invitations, facility rentals, and recognition. Tiers: Fission Friend ($1,500), Atomic Associate ($3,000), and Particle Partner ($6,000).
• Museum Store On-site and online retail store offering nuclear science-themed merchandise, books, apparel, and educational items.
• Commemorative Brick Program Engraved brick purchasing program allowing donors to create lasting memorials on pathways in Heritage Park adjacent to the USS James K. Polk Submarine sail. Bricks cost $150 with three lines of personalized text.
• Discovery After Dark / Nuclear After Dark Adult-only evening events featuring hands-on STEM activities, themed programming, and social experiences in the museum after hours.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 40 unclassified nuclear artifacts made available for public viewing after 25 years
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and flagship.

• MetacoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 11 March 2026Meta awarded a community grant to the museum to launch a monthly free admission day program for Valencia County and Isleta Pueblo residents from April 2026 to March 2027. The initiative aims to remove financial barriers to STEM education.
• Duke EnergyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 March 2026Duke Energy is an industry partner supporting Nuclear Science Week 2026 in Wilmington, NC, helping raise public awareness of nuclear science's role in energy, medicine, and innovation.
• GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear EnergyminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 9 March 2026GE Vernova Hitachi Nuclear Energy is an industry partner supporting Nuclear Science Week 2026, contributing to educational programs and community activities.
• Smithsonian InstitutionflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate, providing national recognition and association with the world's largest museum and research complex.
• Atomic Heritage FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Atomic Heritage Foundation operates in partnership with the museum, supporting the Manhattan Project National Historical Park and preserving oral histories of Manhattan Project workers and families.
• Sandia National LaboratoriescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSNL volunteers donated significant time and expertise to restoration projects, including welding and painting for the USS James K. Polk submarine sail restoration and B-47E Stratojet projects.
• Lockheed MartinminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the museum for the F-16 Fighting Falcon restoration, providing support through Lockheed Martin/Sandia National Laboratories collaboration.
• Central New Mexico Community College (CNM)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCNM's Aviation Maintenance Technology program partnered with the museum for F-16 restoration, providing student labor through their Service-Learning Program.
• Intel (Encore Fellowship Program)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThrough the Encore Fellowship Program administered by United Way with Intel financial support, recently retired Intel engineers were recruited to work on community projects including the James K. Polk sub sail restoration.
• LaFargeminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDonated concrete for the USS James K. Polk submarine sail restoration project.
• Coronado Wrecking & SalvageminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided steel support for the USS James K. Polk submarine sail restoration project.
• J.B. Henderson ConstructionminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided construction services for the USS James K. Polk submarine sail restoration project.
• Enterprise BuildersminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerProvided excavation services for the USS James K. Polk submarine sail restoration project.
• Precision Fabrication, Inc.minorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDonated specific equipment and materials necessary for F-16 Fighting Falcon restoration.
• Valley Fence CompanyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDonated specific equipment and materials necessary for F-16 Fighting Falcon restoration.
• Napa Paint SupplyminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerDonated paint and supplies for F-16 Fighting Falcon restoration project.
• National Museum of the United States Air ForcecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerProvided B-47E Stratojet on permanent loan from their collection to the National Museum of Nuclear Science & History.
• Visit AlbuquerqueminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAwarded a 2025 Tourism Grant to support museum operations and tourism promotion in Albuquerque.
• Mark Cuban FoundationminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnered with the museum to bring AI education to Albuquerque teens through the Mark Cuban Foundation AI Bootcamp.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• National Museum of the United States Air Force: The official U.S. Air Force museum in Dayton, Ohio, focused on military aviation history including Cold War and nuclear-capable aircraft. Highly comparable given overlap in nuclear/aviation subject matter and museum structure; the museum has even loaned artifacts to this peer.
• Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum: New York City museum built around the aircraft carrier USS Intrepid, featuring historic military aircraft and a submarine. Comparable as a single-site military/aviation history museum with strong corporate-event and educational programming.
• National WWII Museum: New Orleans-based museum covering World War II, including Manhattan Project and nuclear weapons history. Comparable in mission to interpret 20th-century military/technological history for the public, with similar educational programming and special-exhibit model.
• USS Midway Museum: Aircraft-carrier-based naval aviation museum in San Diego. Comparable in converting a major military asset into a visitor attraction with a large artifact footprint, paid admission, event hosting, and educational programming.
• Strategic Air Command & Aerospace Museum: Museum in Ashland, Nebraska, dedicated to the Strategic Air Command and the U.S. nuclear deterrent, featuring bombers, missiles, and Cold War artifacts. Directly comparable in nuclear-history mission and aircraft/missile exhibition focus.

Emerging players

• International Spy Museum: Washington, D.C. museum focused on intelligence history. Comparable as a specialized history museum that monetizes a niche national-security theme through admission, special exhibits, and corporate events, targeting overlapping enthusiast audiences.
• California Science Center: Los Angeles state science center featuring the Space Shuttle Endeavour and broad STEM exhibits. Comparable as a large-scale science museum focused on aerospace and technology education, with similar school-group and family visit dynamics.
• Museum of Science and Industry (Chicago): Large Chicago science museum with hands-on STEM exhibits and rotating national-security/historical displays. Comparable in STEM-education orientation and in using large artifact displays (e.g., a WWII submarine) to drive family visitation.

Regional players

• Manhattan Project National Historical Park: National Park Service sites at Los Alamos, Oak Ridge, and Hanford preserving Manhattan Project history. Comparable as a federal, mission-aligned counterpart interpreting nuclear history for the public, often in partnership with the subject museum.

Broad incumbents

• National Air and Space Museum (Smithsonian): The Smithsonian's flagship aerospace museum on the National Mall. Comparable as a large-scale aviation and science museum; the subject museum is a Smithsonian Affiliate, making this a parent-ecosystem peer for audience, programming, and brand alignment.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/nuclearmuseum
• Facebookfacebook.com/nationalnuclearmuseum
• Instagraminstagram.com/nuclear_museum

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The National Museum of Nuclear Science & History