International Spy Museum puts on extra exhibits, Washington DC

The fall season is an ideal time to uncover new action and fascinating intrigue at the International Spy Museum in Washington, D.C. In the upcoming weeks, the museum will offer an exciting limited-run exhibition as well as several special programs covering a wide range of fascinating topics suitable for all ages - reports The Capital.

Walking through the International Spy Museum, which covers 68,000 square feet, is a trek into historic buildings linked by a maze of winding corridors, spooky alcoves and curious spaces. From entrance to exit, visitors encounter the largest collection of international espionage materials ever available for public viewing, displayed in permanent and special installations and supported by historic photographs, videos and artifacts.

These artifacts - from a 1777 letter written by George Washington authorizing a New York spy network to a 1980s coat with a camera concealed in a button - unite with state-of-the-art exhibit design, audio/visual programs, computer interactives and other high-tech components to show that "all is not what it seems." Together, they help bring to life the spying strategies and techniques used for centuries.

In creating this exceptional museum, an advisory board - composed of foremost intelligence experts, scholars and practitioners - knew accuracy and authenticity were paramount to their mission.

"It is our intent," states the museum's director, E. Peter Earnest, "that this facility contributes greatly to the public's understanding of the critical role of intelligence in the world throughout history - right up to the present day. The museum has tremendous potential to stimulate future research, publication and public discussion about the world of intelligence including espionage, counterintelligence, tradecraft, covert action and counterterrorism."

While touring the museum, visitors will come upon "Introduction to Espionage, Covers and Legends" and a film revealing the seduction of danger.

Then it's on to the "School for Spies," a series of displays addressing the many skills and tools essential to a spy. Here visitors can investigate what motivates people to operate in a clandestine world, and observe how they are recruited and trained.

"The Secret History of History," presented in a series of galleries, chronicles the story of spying from biblical times to the early 20th century. Visitors will see phenomena such as the institutionalization of spying in the early years of the Soviet Union, and learn about the development of espionage technology and the role women have played in espionage.

"Spies Among Us" spotlights espionage through World War II. Here, exhibits, films and videos tell real-life spy stories. This installation looks into code-making and code-breaking operations, and demonstrates various ways to create, break and hide coded messages. The exhibit on celebrity spies includes singer Josephine Baker, chef Julia Child, actress Marlene Dietrich and movie director John Ford.

The "War of the Spies" section looks at the Cold War using post-war Berlin as the backdrop for exhibits interpreting the Berlin Tunnel; the Stasi, the internal security force for East Germany's Ministry for State Security; and the fall of the Soviet Union. The impact of espionage on popular culture and the myths/mystiques of the spy are also explored.

Finally, "The 21st Century" addresses future challenges facing intelligence professionals worldwide. In addition to displays such as an operations center tracking current events relevant to spying, a film highlights modern-day attempts to thwart intelligence gathering.

Starting Oct. 7, visitors to the International Spy Museum will have the rare opportunity to view a special exhibition, "Spy Treasures of Hollywood: Highlights from the Danny Biederman Spy-Fi Collection." This display will spotlight many icons from the fictional spy world, including Dr. Evil's ring, Maxwell Smart's shoe phone, James Bond's Walther PPK handgun, Dr. No's tarantula, "Mission: Impossible's" self-destructing tape, and Signey Bristow's bracelet/weapon. Of the more than 4,000 items in Mr. Biederman's collection of spy artifacts from the movies and television, 35 will be shown in this exhibition.

To complement the "Spy Treasures" exhibition, Mr. Biederman and Robert W. Wallace, former director of the CIA's Office of Technical Service, will present "Exploring Q's World: Where Fact and Fiction Collide" at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 6. During this program, both men will delve into fantasy versus reality in the world of spy gear. Mr. Biederman will tell tales of the extraordinary television and movie props in the exhibit and Mr. Wallace will reveal how the boundaries blur when spy fiction raises the bar for real technology at the agency. A fee will be charged for admission into the program, which will include a sneak peak at the exhibition. Advance registration is required. Call the museum for more information.

The museum's spectacular lineup of fall programs gets under way this week. Unless noted, a fee will be charged for each of the following presentations and advance registration is required. Call the museum for more information.

"A Family Affair: The Walker Spy Ring," 6:30 to 9:15 p.m. Tuesday.

In 1967, when a cash-strapped warrant officer volunteered U.S. Naval secrets to the Soviets, he launched one of the most damaging spy rings in U.S. Naval history. John Walker, a communications specialist, recruited his brother, his son, and a friend to supply the Soviet Union with Naval decoding keys to more than 1 million top-secret messages. Join espionage author and historian H. Keith Melton and FBI counterintelligence expert Gerald B. Richards as they blow Walker's cover, revealing the story of the spy ring's tradecraft, operations motivations and ultimate downfall.

"What Stalin Knew: The Enigma of Barbarossa," noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 22.

Despite the fact that Soviet intelligence knew the date, time and location of Germany's planned invasion of the Soviet Union, Joseph Stalin was convinced that Adolf Hitler would not attack. Why did Stalin trust Hitler? What did he know? Find out the answers when David E. Murphy, former CIA chief of Soviet operations and onetime chief of the CIA's Berlin base, reveals his means to get to the bottom of the intelligence war between Stalin and Hitler. No advance registration is required.

"The World Was Going Our Way: The KGB and the Battle for the Third World - Newly Released Secrets from the Mitrokhin Archive," noon to 1 p.m. Sept. 29.

During this presentation, renowned intelligence historian Christopher Andrew will discuss the complete story of the KGB's vast operations from the Middle East to Latin America, Africa and India. No advance registration is required.

"Operation Undercover: Secrets of Disguise," 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Oct. 23.

During this special Sunday workshop, the ways of creating a cover identity - complete with "pocket litter," documentation and disguises - will be shared when a cadre of professional makeup artists, hair stylists and spy experts help recruits prepare to take on the ultimate challenge: a mission to retrieve top-secret intelligence.

This program is designed for ages 8 through 12 and no grown-ups will be allowed into this mysterious realm.

"Engineering Communism: How Two Americans Spied for Stalin and Founded the Soviet Silicon Valley," 4 to 6 p.m. Oct. 26.

Steven Usdin will tell the Cold War story of Joel Barr and Alfred Sarant, two comrades who spied for the Soviet Union during World War II. They later fled behind the Iron Curtain, where they were among the founders of the Soviet microelectronics and computer industries. Mr. Usdin also will describe FBI counterintelligence failures that prevented the bureau from halting the flow of intelligence to the Soviets. No advance registration is required.

"Chatter: Dispatches from the Secret World of Global Eavesdropping," noon to 1 p.m. Oct. 27.

When Patrick Radden Keefe began exploring the world of signals intelligence, he found an uncharted land shrouded in mystery. Mr. Keefe met former spies and investigated Echelon, a worldwide eavesdropping network whose existence is so secret that, in some cases, it is even unknown to the legislative bodies of the countries that run it. He journeyed to "listening bases" and abandoned spy stations to figure out how chatter works and who can listen in. During this program, Mr. Keefe will profile the root struggle between security and privacy as he sheds light on this murky world. No advance registration is required.

"Operation Secret Slumber," 6:30 p.m. Nov. 5 to 10 a.m. Nov. 6.

When the lights go down Nov. 5, the grand adventure begins. Participants age 9 through 15 (with one adult required for every two children) will begin their top-secret KidSpy training. The mission begins with taking on a secret identity and gathering intelligence about real spy skills. During the night, KidSpies disguise themselves and work on their missions to make and break secret codes, uncover important secrets, interrogate real spies and hunt for a mole within the ranks. At the same time, adults lurking nearby will be kept on their toes with their own super-clandestine missions. As day breaks, enemy agents will be exposed in a dramatic finale. Note: This program is extremely popular and fills up quickly. To avoid disappointment, register immediately.

"Dinner With a Spy: Oleg Kalugin," 7 to 9 p.m. Nov. 16.

Dine and dish with the incomparable Oleg Kalugin, the former head of Soviet KGB operations in the United States. Mr. Kalugin worked undercover as a journalist while attending Columbia University, then conducted espionage and influenced operations as a Radio Moscow correspondent with the United Nations. While serving as deputy chief of the KGB station at the Soviet Embassy in Washington, D.C., he handled the notorious spy John Walker. Note: Due to limited seating, this program will sell out quickly. Register soon.

How to get there: To reach the International Spy Museum, trek west on Route 50 and continue into Washington, D.C., via New York Avenue; turn left onto Ninth Street and follow south to F Street; museum's entrance is located on F Street, one block north of FBI building. Metered street parking, garages and lots can be found throughout the area. Metro stops: Gallery Place/Chinatown stations (use Ninth and G streets exit).

Thanks to `JP` for the alert.

Discuss this news here...