The International Spy Museum
Who doesn’t think spies are interesting? No one! What makes The International Spy Museum in a city filled with museums is that it’s the only public museum dedicated to espionage. And because it is the only one, the museum features the largest collection ofinternational espionage artifacts ever placed on public display – many have never been seen by the public. These artifacts – from a 1777 letter by George Washington authorizing a New York spy network to a 1980s coat with a camera concealed in a button – bring to life the people and techniques behind some of the most influential espionage actions in world history.
5 Must See Exhibits
OperationSpy: This exhibit will keep the group pretty busy as it’s both an interactive and immersive experience. You will take on the role of U.S. intelligence officers on an international mission to locate a missing nuclear device before it falls into the wrong hands. This intense experience combines live-action, video characters, themed environments, special effects, and hands-on activities. Take note this will take about an hour to get through the exhibit.
School for Spies: Learn about the tradecraft of espionage, the skills and tools essential to a spy.
Listening via Audio Surveillance Bugs
The Secret History of History: It explores such phenomena as the institutionalization of spying in the early years of the Soviet Union and traces the rise of espionage technology, such as spy photography. It also examines the role that women have played in espionage and reveals well-known historical figures who were also spymasters, including George Washington and author Daniel Defoe.
Surveillance Watch
Spies Among Us: These exhibits, films, and videos examine espionage through World War II, showcasing real-life spy stories. They explore the role of code-making and code-breaking operations and teach various ways to create, break and hide coded messages through interactive exhibits. An exhibit on celebrities includes singer Josephine Baker, chef Julia Child, movie director John Ford, and actress Marlene Dietrich.
James Bond Astin Martin
Special Exhibit: Exquisitely Evil: 50 Years of Bond Villains: Beginning with 1962’s DR. NO to 2012’s SKYFALL, this special exhibit explores how the evildoers and their plots have changed to reflect their times and how James Bond has influenced the public’s perception of real espionage. Videos with real spies commenting on the Bond films and sharing their own “Bond Moments,” historical artifacts and documents, unique interactives, as well as classic Bond film clips complement the movie props on display.
I recommend this museum highly especially if you have older tween and teen. As I mentioned, it’s interesting, interative and it’s about spies. Washington, D.C. has some amazing museums for older kids, a Spy museum will mix it up a bit with all the history they have to absorb.
International Spy Museum
Location: 800 F Street, NW in Washington, D.C.’s historic Penn Quarter
Website: spymuseum.org or call 202.654.0991
Tickets: Save money with SPY savings! Show your SmarTrip® card when you visit the museum and get $7 off Adult General Admission ticket!
Disclosure: NYC Single Mom received guest passes to visit the Spy Museum
