Last updated: March 12, 2025
Place
Oak Ridge Wayside: From Little Boy to Big Fun
NPS
Quick Facts
Amenities
1 listed
Historical/Interpretive Information/Exhibits
Subtitle
Recreation in America's Secret City
Main Text
In July 1943, the Recreation and Welfare Association (RWA) was established to provide recreational programs for the residents of Oak Ridge. The Association’s range of activities was extensive such as managing bowling and volleyball leagues, organizing a model airplane club, taking tours of the McGhee Tyson airport’s radio tower, supporting the Minnesota Club (a club for those from Minnesota or who had ever vacationed there), and publishing the Oak Ridge Journal (a weekly newspaper restricted to within the gates of Oak Ridge). These programs fell into five fields of recreation for the workers of Oak Ridge, “Physical recreation, Social recreation, Arts and Crafts, Music, and Dramatics.” Beyond clubs and sports, the RWA funded the local library, provided supervision and management of playgrounds and camps, and organized the symphony orchestra and several bands. Funding for these activities came from the Oak Ridgers who frequented these activities in the form of concessions, vending machines, theater tickets, and beer sales. By 1945, the RWA oversaw: four theaters, six recreation halls, four bowling alleys, 23 tennis courts, 18 ball parks, a swimming pool, the weekly newspaper, and the public library.
Exhibit Panel Description
A black and white exhibit panel on a black frame approximately four feet tall. The panel has a black band at the top and a title underneath that reads “From Little Boy to Big Fun: Recreation in America's Secret City." The center of the panel includes a black and white photo of several children being read to on a lawn in front of a school. The text of the panel is located at the bottom.
Visit this Exhibit Panel
This wayside is located at the corner of Kentucky Ave. and Broadway Ave. across from the Alexander Guest House in Oak Ridge, TN.
Recreation in America's Secret City
Main Text
In July 1943, the Recreation and Welfare Association (RWA) was established to provide recreational programs for the residents of Oak Ridge. The Association’s range of activities was extensive such as managing bowling and volleyball leagues, organizing a model airplane club, taking tours of the McGhee Tyson airport’s radio tower, supporting the Minnesota Club (a club for those from Minnesota or who had ever vacationed there), and publishing the Oak Ridge Journal (a weekly newspaper restricted to within the gates of Oak Ridge). These programs fell into five fields of recreation for the workers of Oak Ridge, “Physical recreation, Social recreation, Arts and Crafts, Music, and Dramatics.” Beyond clubs and sports, the RWA funded the local library, provided supervision and management of playgrounds and camps, and organized the symphony orchestra and several bands. Funding for these activities came from the Oak Ridgers who frequented these activities in the form of concessions, vending machines, theater tickets, and beer sales. By 1945, the RWA oversaw: four theaters, six recreation halls, four bowling alleys, 23 tennis courts, 18 ball parks, a swimming pool, the weekly newspaper, and the public library.
Exhibit Panel Description
A black and white exhibit panel on a black frame approximately four feet tall. The panel has a black band at the top and a title underneath that reads “From Little Boy to Big Fun: Recreation in America's Secret City." The center of the panel includes a black and white photo of several children being read to on a lawn in front of a school. The text of the panel is located at the bottom.
Visit this Exhibit Panel
This wayside is located at the corner of Kentucky Ave. and Broadway Ave. across from the Alexander Guest House in Oak Ridge, TN.