I Spy a Museum

The NY Times had a fun piece by a former CIA case officer, in which she talks about visiting various spy museums. He went to NSA's National Cryptologic Museum in Fort Meade, MD, and the International Spy Museum in DC.

Having visited the International Spy Museum myself, she describes the experience well, while adding in little tidbits about her experiences with the CIA in Eastern Europe in the 1990s. They showcase various disguises and old spy technology and allow you to do a little play-acting, by assuming an identity. And for Bond lovers, there's even a fully-decked Bond Aston Martin DB5. And don't pass up the chance to buy your own night-vision goggles in the gift shop. It's fun kitsch.

Then, she was off to true geek-land: the Cryptologic Museum, rarely visited and free and open to the public. She said the best part was listening to stories told by the retiree volunteers who manned the place. There, you can even see the Enigma machine.

She's also written a book: Blowing My Cover: My Life as a CIA Spy (by Lindsay Moran), which I'll be looking for in the store.

Filed under: History, Learning, North America, United States