New Weekend Hours for Historic Missile Site

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Minuteman Missile National Historic Site is happy to announce that beginning Sunday, Feb. 27, 2011, and every Saturday and Sunday thereafter, the site will be open from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

"Opening on weekends will allow for all visitors, especially local visitors that work during the week the opportunity to visit the site", says Superintendent Ruben Andrade.

The contact station, just off Interstate 90 at exit 131, offers two movies, one that provides a "virtual tour" of the underground Launch Control Center, and an excellent production that explains the Cold War and the Minuteman's role in deterrence, for the younger generation. The Delta-01 launch control facility and the missile silo (Launch Facility) at exit 116 will be open weather permitting.

Minuteman Missile National Historic Site was established to preserve and tell the story of the Minuteman's role in preserving peace and preventing a hot, or shooting war, between the United States and former Soviet Union during the Cold War.

"Cold War history is South Dakota history, as there were 150 Minuteman II missiles performing their duty here under the prairie for almost 30 years, preserving peace and deterring war" explains Ranger Butch Davis.

For kids of all ages, Minuteman Missile also offers a Junior Ranger program. Participants who successfully complete the requirements will receive a patch and certificate.

For more information on this and other park programs, please call (605) 433-5552, or visit the website at www.nps.gov/mimi