About the Oak Ridge Room
The Oak Ridge Room at Oak Ridge Public Library houses primary resources relating to the municipal and social history of Oak Ridge, with a strong emphasis on the Manhattan Project. It was dedicated in September 1986 as part of the Library’s celebration of Tennessee’s Homecoming ’86. This unique collection was established to gather, catalog, and preserve the records and history of the “Secret City,” and to assist the public in researching Oak Ridge history. Special collections, documents, and reports reveal what life was like in the 1940’s when Oak Ridge was a brand-new town built to government wartime specifications.
In addition to historic photograph collections, the Oak Ridge Room also contains a large collection of books on the development and history of the Manhattan Project, including many biographies of some of the key scientists and military personnel. The collection also includes telephone directories from the 1940’s-2020’s, maps, floor plans, and blueprints. This digital collection highlights many of the popular, informative, and unique items at the Library. Current information about our city government and issues important to citizens today are also included.
Oak Ridge Room Donations
We accept manuscript collections of current and former residents, important figures of the Manhattan Project and information relating pre- and post-Oak Ridge. As a research room, the Oak Ridge Room is only equipped to handle two dimensional objects (documents, photographs, maps, etc.). If you have artifacts you would like to donate, we can work with you to find an appropriate home for them. Donations to the Oak Ridge Room require special consideration, so please make a reference appointment if you have items to donate.
| Phone Number | (865) 425-3467 |
| OakRidgeRoom@oakridgetn.gov |
Community Television
Want to revisit 1990s prom videos, local talk shows, arts, science, or community sports activities? We have long hosted a large collection of CTV videos, or Community Television Videos, which range in dates from 1989 to 1996. These have recently been converted from VHS to DVD formats.
Local Author Spotlight
We celebrate authors and artists local to Oak Ridge and its surrounding areas.
City & Local Records
City and local records can be found in our Public Review section. These documents can be from city government, federal government, schools, or other local organizations. Records can include, but are not limited to:
History Events
We host three events per calendar year that focus on Oak Ridge and its history. Previous topics have included Oak Ridge housing, local cemeteries, and a tour highlighting the history of our downtown.
Our Local Historian is available to talk to your community group or civic organization. Fill out the form below if you are interested.
Center for Oak Ridge Oral History
The Center for Oak Ridge Oral History (C.O.R.O.H.) tells the stories of local residents with over 900 audio and video interviews, accompanied by searchable transcripts. Spanning the pre-Oak Ridge era through WWII’s Manhattan Project years to present-day residents, C.O.R.O.H. ensures the memories of those involved in Oak Ridge’s unique mission will not be lost.
