Some of the areas in need of restoration at the historic Oppenheimer House. Photo Courtesy Los Alamos Historical Society
BY TODD NICKOLS
Executive Director
Los Alamos Historical Society
Enterprise Bank & Trust—originally Los Alamos National Bank—was founded here in 1963 by George Cowan to fund housing for local employees and to serve the financial needs of a rapidly growing community built around the Los Alamos Scientific Laboratory. George served as the bank’s chair for 30 years, guiding its development as a cornerstone of local progress.
I grew up in Los Alamos. George Cowan’s remarkable wife, Satch, taught me how to swim, and George himself taught me about BMWs—and about the value of work done well.
Just a few years after the bank’s founding, in 1968, another institution dedicated to community and preservation took shape: the Los Alamos Historical Society. Local residents came together to ensure that the history of the Los Alamos Ranch School and the Manhattan Project would not be lost as original buildings and personal stories faded away. Soon after, the Society began operating the Los Alamos History Museum, centered around the Homestead-era Romero Cabin and the historic Guest Cottage—now serving as the museum’s visitor center and gateway to our campus.
In 2018, LANB officially became Enterprise Bank & Trust. Today, Enterprise continues to serve Los Alamos and northern New Mexico, carrying forward a proud tradition of community service and local partnership. Liddie Martinez exemplifies that tradition—thank you, Liddie!
The Los Alamos Historical Society remains deeply indebted to Enterprise Bank & Trust for its steadfast support over the years. Today, I am humbled by Enterprise’s extraordinary generosity and continued commitment to our mission. EB&T is sponsoring the Society’s monthly lecture series and—if you haven’t heard yet—has pledged $500,000 in matching funds over the next four years, dedicated to the renovation and interpretation of the Oppenheimer House.
Jim Lally, President and CEO of Enterprise Financial Services Corporation, along with national executives from EB&T, graciously traveled from St. Louis, San Diego, and other locations to celebrate with the Los Alamos Historical Society and Liddie’s local EB&T team. Associate Director Kristen Hollis, members of our Board of Directors, and I were honored to host the group at the Oppenheimer House for an “Oppenheimer martini” before joining long-time Society members, local press, a County Councilor, and other dignitaries for a reception in the Pajarito Room of Fuller Lodge. Guests enjoyed hors d’oeuvres, charcuterie, and libations featuring local flavors while being treated to an exceptional 25-minute performance by three members of the Santa Fe Opera team—Amy, Paul, and Ryan—whose musical selections spanned from the 1940s through the 1990s. Thank you for sharing your talents with us!
The partnership between the Society and EB&T is the longest-running collaboration in Los Alamos history. Because of the dedication and vision of early community members and the entrepreneurial spirit of the town’s first businesses, the board and staff of the Los Alamos Historical Society are proud to continue as stewards of the stories of the remarkable people who made this community so special. With EB&T’s continued leadership and financial support, we are able to share Los Alamos’s history with the world.
I also want to take a moment to honor all of the Society’s donors and members. Without you, the Los Alamos Historical Society would not exist. Every contribution—from our youngest donors pledging their weekly allowance to our most dedicated volunteers—makes a difference. You are a vital part of the ongoing story of Los Alamos, and we thank you.
Please keep an eye out for activity at the Oppenheimer House. A construction storage unit will arrive later this week to hold the period furniture donated to the Society by Christopher Nolan’s team from scenes filmed in New Mexico. Since 2021, the Society has completed extensive preliminary work—geo-surveying, architectural and electrical drawings, roof repairs, and landscaping plans to ensure ADA compliance.
We know many in the community have wondered, “What’s taking so long?” or “Why is it so expensive?” My answer: we have one shot to do this right. We’re taking a home built in 1929 and integrating it into the History Museum campus. Once open to the public, it will welcome approximately 65,000 visitors annually. It must be accurately preserved, structurally stabilized, and capable of withstanding decades of public engagement.
The house is in very poor condition. Cracks line the stone walls, the main joists have been sitting in the dirt deteriorating from moisture and termites for over 20 years, and the electrical system is outdated, ungrounded, and covered in cloth insulation.
For transparency, here is an excerpt from my October 2025 Oppenheimer House Project
Report to the Society’s Board of Directors:
After numerous conversations and Zoom meetings with both our historic architectural firm and our contractors, we finally have a confirmed start date for the Oppenheimer House renovation: November 3, 2025.
Work will begin with the removal of the oak flooring in the back bedroom, allowing us to assess the damage to the rear main joist and determine the best approach for installing the helical piers and new foundation. While no permit is required for this preliminary work, permits for the major renovations are in process. Los Alamos County has been an invaluable partner, providing guidance and expertise—thank you!
The first phase will focus on structural stabilization: installing helical piers, pouring the concrete foundation, and completing the basic electrical infrastructure. To safely accommodate 65,000 annual visitors, the house needs a secure foundation. The helical piers—reinforced concrete braces at each corner—will prevent movement beyond natural settling. The new foundation will include added supports beneath visitor pathways through the living room, office, dining room,
and kitchen.
Because of seasonal temperature constraints, concrete work will likely begin in March 2026, while assessment and excavation continue through winter.
Electrical and Utilities
The electrical assessment began in July 2025. After meetings with contractors, county officials, and architects, we determined that a single-phase electrical line will run from the large service boxes near Bathtub Brewery Co-op, under 19th Street, and onto our property. A switch to a multi-phase line remains possible before installation.
Because we plan to use robotics, holograms, and other cutting-edge technologies in exhibits and interpretation, we are planning electrical capacity well beyond current needs to avoid costly future upgrades. Fiber-optic internet will run from the junction box across Peach Street, and we now have new water, sewer, and gas lines with a new gas meter installed.
Recent Progress
- Updated electrical drawings completed by our architectural firm
- The building code designation was revised from IBC Residential to General Public Assembly classification.
- Ventilation assessment completed, necessary due to the home’s stone wall construction
Next Steps
Once the flooring is removed in the back bedroom, we will: - Finalize the scope of concrete work required.
- Assess and plan for repairs to the exterior walls of this section, which is the most
structurally vulnerable part of the house.
Additional upcoming tasks include: - Reviewing options with the mechanical engineer for preserving the original radiators
and evaluating whether boiler enhancements are needed. (With newer technologies, we
may choose to modernize the boiler system while preserving the original radiators.) - Determine placement of mini-split units for climate control and server cooling
- Finalize fire alarm and suppression systems
Thanks to the enduring partnership between Enterprise Bank & Trust and the Los Alamos Historical Society, the Oppenheimer House will soon take its place as a world-class interpretive site—honoring not only its famous occupants but also the community that continues to preserve and celebrate Los Alamos’s extraordinary history.
Some of the areas in need of restoration at the historic Oppenheimer House. Photos Courtesy Los Alamos Historical Society
