Manhattan Project Tour: Spies, Assassins & Hidden History | Dan Kitrell
Santa Fe, New Mexico – A walking tour in the state capital is shedding light on the city’s largely unknown role in the American effort to develop the atomic bomb during World War II, and the network of espionage that surrounded the top-secret Manhattan Project. Led by historian Dan Kitrell, the “Assassins, Spies & the Manhattan Project” tour explores locations central to the covert operations and scientific endeavors that ultimately led to the creation of the first atomic weapons.
The two-hour, one-mile walking tour, offered through the Friends of History New Mexico and the New Mexico History Museum, delves into the stories of scientists, spies, and the complex geopolitical landscape of the era. Kitrell, a docent trained under the auspices of the New Mexico History Museum, guides participants through sites where crucial meetings took place and where atomic secrets were exchanged.
According to Kitrell, the tour stops at the former office used for the Manhattan Project, where access passes were issued and transportation arranged for scientists heading to Los Alamos, the remote laboratory where the bomb was designed and built. Participants also visit the location near a bridge where Klaus Fuchs, a German-born physicist who spied for the Soviet Union, met with American chemist Harry Gold in 1945 to deliver classified information stolen from Los Alamos. The route also traces the path taken by Edward Lee Howard, a former CIA operative who defected to Moscow in 1985.
The tour doesn’t simply recount historical events; it also explores the methods used by intelligence agencies during the period. Kitrell explains the spycraft techniques employed to coordinate meetings, verify identities, and transfer information between spies and their contacts. He emphasizes that the tour relies solely on verified facts and documented stories, aiming to present an accurate portrayal of a critical and dangerous period in American history.
The Manhattan Project, initiated in 1942, was a research and development undertaking during World War II that produced the first nuclear weapons. Santa Fe played a pivotal, though often overlooked, role in the project, serving as a key logistical and operational hub. The city’s remote location and established artistic community provided a degree of anonymity that was attractive to those involved in the highly secretive endeavor.
Kitrell’s work has resonated with locals and visitors alike. He noted that his final tour for 2025, conducted on , was comprised entirely of local residents who had learned about the tour through word-of-mouth recommendations. He also leads private tours for school groups, including those participating in National History Day events at the New Mexico History Museum. On , he led a tour for students in grades 6-12, their parents, and teachers involved in the National History Day competition.
The tours, offered twice a month from April through November at on select dates, are designed to support the educational programs and public exhibitions of the New Mexico History Museum. The docents, like Kitrell, volunteer their time and expertise to provide these historical insights. Tickets can be purchased through the Friends of History New Mexico website.
The revelation of Soviet espionage within the Manhattan Project, particularly the cases of Klaus Fuchs and others, sent shockwaves through the United States and fueled the Red Scare of the Cold War era. Fuchs’s betrayal, passing atomic secrets to the Soviet Union, significantly accelerated the Soviet Union’s own nuclear weapons program. The Santa Fe connection to these events underscores the city’s place in a broader narrative of international intrigue and geopolitical competition.
The walking tour aims to humanize this history, presenting not only the scientific and political complexities but also the personal stories of those involved. By sharing anecdotes and vintage images, Kitrell seeks to bring to life a critical period in American history and to highlight the enduring legacy of the Manhattan Project and the Cold War.
Kitrell expressed his enthusiasm for continuing the tours in , inviting visitors to Santa Fe to reconnect with this fascinating chapter of history. The tours offer a unique opportunity to explore the hidden history of a city that played a crucial role in shaping the course of the 20th century.