Wait!? They used to do what here? – Fernald Preserve in Hamilton, Ohio
I have a confession to make. I can’t pass a brown sign without wanting to follow it. I guess it’s my curious, adventurous spirit. We have been to some amazing places and some less than stellar locations. This particular adventure began with a small brown sign after we left Brown’s Family Farm Market.
We stopped at Lodge Pond and the overview on the way to the visitor’s center. There were geese and swans in the pond. We didn’t see anybody except the workers that are still setting up the preserve.
We didn’t know anything about Fernald Preserve before this visit. I had heard of Fernald before and that it was important during the Cold War but that was it. It turns out that this used to be farmland that the Government took over with Eminent domain after the site was chosen to enrich uranium ore for nuclear production. We were standing on a real-life former nuclear production facility!
The visitors center is very large and explains the history of the area very well. It follows the land’s history; from prehistoric times through its use as farmland to being a uranium processing center. Then it goes through the cleanup to its current use as a nature preserve. It’s extremely informative, especially for those of us that were born or came of age after the cold war had ended in 1991.
We learned so much! I love how interactive it all is. There are multiple videos and interviews. There was even a cartoon that played on the television set up in the living area. It was an old cartoon about a turtle that focused on what to do if a bomb went off near you. Basically, duck and cover under a desk with your hands over your head.
The little girls played a game of bug memory that was set up in the front. There was a super nice lady working here that told us about the animals that have been spotted in the area. She showed us where to stop to see a beaver dam. The girls were getting grumpy because it was so hot. We were able to see it from the car so we didn’t get out again.
This place is totally worth a visit!
Cost: FREE!
Location: 7400 Willey Rd, Hamilton, OH 45013
Happy Travels!
I grew up in Ohio and didn’t know anything about this park or its former history. Wow, how cool!
It’s really neat! There are quotes everywhere from people who worked there or lived in the area. There are tons of interviews which really brings it all to life. If you’re in the area, you should check it out!