F+H Partners had the privilege of partnering with the Los Alamos Historical Society (LAHS) to help launch and advance the Oppenheimer House Fund, a $5 million initiative to preserve and activate one of the most significant homes in American history.
The Opportunity
On a short stretch of road in downtown Los Alamos known as Bathtub Row, history is not sealed behind glass but scattered across a small campus of buildings that still look, from the sidewalk, like they might be waiting for their next dinner guests. The Los Alamos Historical Society—whose mission is to preserve, promote, and communicate the history and stories of Los Alamos and its people for the community, a global audience, and future generations—welcomes visitors at the Los Alamos History Museum, where exhibits and tours connect homesteading, the Los Alamos Ranch School, the Manhattan Project, and the Cold War into a single walkable geography.
The Oppenheimer House sits at the far end of their campus, and has drawn curious visitors for years, to peer in its windows, especially since release of the hugely popular film Oppenheimer in 2023. Built in 1929 and used by the Ranch School, the house later became the family home of J. Robert Oppenheimer during the Manhattan Project. The National Park Service describes the Oppenheimer House as historically significant—where Oppenheimer, his wife Kitty, and their children lived from 1943 to 1945—noting that it is not currently open to the public. Because of the Historical Society’s fundraising and preservation efforts, that will soon change.
When LAHS took possession of the home in 2020, the many challenges were clear. It was in poor condition after decades of limited upkeep. Priorities included stabilizing the structure, addressing foundational problems, and doing the kind of slow, expensive work that is not exciting, but impossible to skip. But the Historical Society board and staff understood that this would be only the beginning of a larger plan to renovate the home, create exhibits and programming, and integrate it into the museum campus—work that relies on raising $5 million.
F+H Partners’ Role
In late 2024, LAHS engaged Amy Funk and Peter Hussell to provide campaign strategy and counsel for the Oppenheimer House Fund. Our work focused on:
- Clarifying the campaign vision and funding priorities
- Developing a compelling case for support
- Structuring a major gifts strategy and prospect pipeline
- Preparing leadership for principal gift conversations
- Aligning restoration planning with donor engagement
This was not simply a preservation project. It was an opportunity to integrate the home into the LAHS campus with exhibits and programming that invite deeper understanding of Los Alamos’ rich legacy.
One of the clearest indicators of community enthusiasm for this project came early, in the form of a leading partnership with Enterprise Bank & Trust. Their pledge of a $500,000 matching gift has been a significant boost, pushing total gifts to the campaign past the $2 million mark. In fall 2025, we were fortunate to be able to be on-site in Los Alamos, and able to join in celebrating the leadership of Enterprise Bank at a special reception at Fuller Lodge held in their honor.
Behind these public-facing moments, F+H Partners has been proud to support the work that makes a campaign function: structuring a coherent funding plan, building an understanding of LAHS’s community of support, and partnering with staff and volunteers to ensure their success. In practice, this is the day-to-day work that helps translate a complicated project into something donors connect with.
With $2 million already raised, work is now underway, and additional phases are ready to move forward as construction milestones are met.
Preserving History for the Future
Historic preservation requires more than bricks and mortar. It requires clarity of purpose, thoughtful storytelling, and disciplined campaign execution. LAHS is stewarding a property that carries scientific, cultural, and ethical significance for audiences well beyond New Mexico.
“When you stand inside the Oppenheimer House, you feel the weight of history. It is layered, complex, and still very present. What I admire about LAHS is their commitment to telling that story thoughtfully, grounded in community. Our role has been to help build the philanthropic framework so local leadership and national interest can come together to protect and interpret this place with integrity.” - Amy
Congratulations to our friends at Los Alamos Historical Society and thank you to the many individuals and organizations passionately supporting the Oppenheimer House project. To learn more and keep up with project developments, visit Los Alamos Historical Society.