The Savannah River Site Tours and Protocol Office has recently announced 23 site tours to be held in 2025, which will help educate the public on the history, missions, and successes of the Savannah River Site.
In 2024, 24 tours were given with approximately 750 visitors, and in 2025, SRS is planning to hold an average of two tours per month starting in January.
During the mission focused tours, participants will receive an overview of SRS’s history and missions including the Tritium Mission, the future Plutonium Processing Mission, the Surplus Plutonium Disposition Project and the Legacy Waste Management Program.
Historical tours will take place in the areas of Dunbarton and Ellenton, South Carolina where participants will gain an understanding on how the CSRA played an instrumental role during the Cold War for the Savannah River Site’s construction and its influence on the history in nearby counties.
Dunbarton housed the largest dry goods store, The Western Carolina Store, in Barnwell County until Nov. 28, 1950.
“The owners were informed that the Savannah River Plant would be built in the area and announced in stride that they would be going out of business,” according to a press release from SRS.
Meanwhile, Ellenton’s populace would shift during the construction of the Plant, as many would build homes, stores, and places of worship towards Aiken. This town would be honored with the name New Ellenton.
From the tour, participants will also learn about the nation’s first National Environmental Research Park (NERP) through visiting the University of Georgia’s Savannah River Ecology Laboratory (SREL).
“Recognized in 1972, SRS has provided research opportunities through the local ecosystems available from vegetation found within the forests to the wildlife,” according to a press release from SRS.
Amanda Hurst, SREL community engagement specialist, has been a key educator on tours, informing visitors of protections for the animals in the park and the research that takes place.
“A favorite part of mine during the tours is being able to talk to the public about the facts and myths about wildlife through the beautiful, protected park we have here,” Hurst said. “People get to learn more about the ecosystems, and I like to highlight all of that.”
Tours will accommodate up to 34 people and approximately 850 total participants from the public. Tours in Dunbarton will be held in March and in Ellenton during October.
Spaces will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Sign-ups will close one week from the date of the tour.
To sign up for a Savannah River Site tour, CLICK HERE.
