Is it a love of spy “who-done-its” from film noir and the movies, or spy page-turners from literature? Perhaps it’s a fascination with history and a desire to learn secrets behind world events? Or maybe it’s an urgency to understand the complexities of our world today and the need for solid intelligence now, more than ever? No matter what motives brought you here…leave your preconceptions behind.
The International Spy Museum in Washington DC is the only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to the tradecraft, history, and contemporary role of espionage. Open since July 2002 and in development since 1996, the museum features the largest collection of international 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.
Learn about the authentic tradecraft that has been used throughout time and around the world. Hear spies in their own words describe the challenges and the “game” of spying.
A spy must live a life of lies. Adopt a cover identity and learn why an operative needs one. See the credentials an agent must have to get in—or out, as in the case of six Americans exfiltrated from revolutionary Iran in 1979, courtesy of the Canadian Ambassador— and the CIA. Proceed directly to the Briefing Film where you’ll come face to face with the real world of spying. Spies are motivated for very different reasons–what might motivate you? Patriotism? Money? A compromising situation? Your own ego?
Accessibility: The Museum’s Permanent Exhibition, Zola, Spy City Cafe, and Museum Store are fully wheelchair accessible. A limited number of wheelchairs may be borrowed at the Information Desk on a first-come-first-served basis. Elevators provide access to all floors and exhibits. All restrooms in the Museum complex are wheelchair accessible.
For guests who are blind, a tactile map of the Museum’s floor plan is available at the Information desk. This acquaints guests with the layout of the Museum prior to entering the exhibit area. Guests may also take advantage of an audio-described tour of the Museum led by trained Museum staff. This tour is approximately 90-minutes in length and covers the key content, labels, audio-visual presentations, and sites in the permanent exhibition, and includes tactile artifacts. These tours are available on a drop-in basis. If you are unable to participate in this tour we offer a 20-minute tactile orientation presented by a trained staff person. This is not a tour but a presentation of key concepts with tactile artifacts.
The International Spy Museum’s Spy’s Eye™ captioning system provides a state-of-the-art opportunity for guests to activate captions on videos in the Museum galleries with a credit-card sized triggering device worn around the neck. Sign language and oral interpreter services or realtime captioning is available for public programs with two weeks advance notice.
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