- There's an abandoned fallout shelter from 1962 under the Oyster-Adams school in Washington, DC.
- Since the shelter has remained untouched, much of the supplies are still there.
- From food to portable toilets, this abandoned fallout shelter stands as a reminder of the Cold War.
In 1961, President John F. Kennedy sent out a letter to American citizens warning them about the threat of nuclear war. His solution: fallout shelters.
"We owe that kind of insurance to our families and to our country," his letter read. "The time to start is now. In the coming months, I hope to let every citizen know what steps he can take without delay to protect his family in case of attack. I know you would not want to do less."
Congress allocated $169 million to find locations in public and private buildings that would protect communities from nuclear attacks. These shelters were to act as temporary homes as they waited out the nuclear fallout after an attack. But in reality, they were a last-ditch effort at survival.
One of these shelters has been found under a school in Washington, DC, and it has remained untouched for over 55 years.
Keep reading to explore the abandoned shelter that acts as a time capsule for the Cold War.
In the basement of the Oyster-Adams school in DC, you can find three small steps that lead to an ominous door.
During the Cold War, places all around the country were designated as fallout shelters. Typically, they were basements with thick concrete that would — they hoped — keep out nuclear radiation.
Once opened, you find yourself instantly transported back to 1962 when everyone lived in fear of nuclear war.
The Cold War lasted 45 years, but the terror of nuclear attack peaked during the '50s and '60s.
A sign in the basement still hangs on the wall, designating the area as a fallout shelter.
Fallout shelter signs were hung all over the country, becoming a lasting symbol of the Cold War.
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