The International Spy Museum is the first and only public museum in the United States solely dedicated to espionage and the only one in the world to provide a global perspective on this all-but-invisible profession. It features the largest collection of international spy-related artifacts ever placed on public display. The stories of individual spies, told through film, interactives, and state-of-the-art exhibits, provide a dynamic context to foster an understanding of espionage and its impact on current and historic events. In addition to the Museum, the Complex includes a Museum Store, private dining and event facilities, and two restaurants: Zola and Spy City Cafe.
The Museum is the creation of The Malrite Company. Based in Cleveland, Ohio, The Malrite Company develops innovative museums and educational projects across the country. Its collaborative creative team consists of research directors, top museum and exhibition designers, innovative video and computer developers, and leading architects and interior designers.
The mission of the International Spy Museum is to educate the public about espionage in an engaging manner and to provide a dynamic context that fosters understanding of its important role in, and impact on, current and historic events. In the words of the Museum's Founder and Chairman, Milton Maltz: "The International Spy Museum is more than history - more than information or entertainment - its mission is to reflect the significance of intelligence as a critical component of national security."
Museum contributes to the public's understanding of the critical role of intelligence in the world throughout history to the present day. The Museum has tremendous potential to contribute to future research, publication and public discussion about the world of espionage including counterintelligence, tradecraft, covert action, counterterrorism, and the breakthrough developments in science and technology which have so characterized our times.
The Museum presents the world history of espionage within a context that will allow visitors to draw their own judgments and conclusions. The focus of the International Spy Museum is on human intelligence, not political ideology.
No. The International Spy Museum is a private and independent entity with no links to any government agency, foreign or domestic. The Museum has reached out to intelligence communities to ensure an international perspective for the exhibits and to brief all relevant organizations about the Museum's goals. A number of the Museum's Board Members are former leaders of the international intelligence community, ensuring the visitor experience to be as authentic and unbiased as possible.
The subject of espionage is addressed at several other institutions both nationally and internationally including Moscow's KGB Museum, an exhibit within London's Imperial War Museum, and locally at the NSA's National Cryptologic Museum. Unlike the International Spy Museum, they focus on a specific time period or event and/or approach the subject from one nation's point of view. The International Spy Museum is the first and only museum of its kind that does not limit its interpretation of espionage by geography or specific time periods.
The International Spy Museum is located at 800 F Street, NW in Washington, DC's
historic Pennsylvania Quarter neighborhood. It is within 4 blocks of the
National Mall, directly across the street from the National Portrait Gallery,
steps away from the MCI Center, and within one block of FBI headquarters. The
Gallery Place/Chinatown Metrorail Station is within a block of the Museum
Complex.
DIRECTIONS
There are several parking lots and garages within a few blocks of the Museum. These include: an underground parking garage on 9th Street near the corner of 9th & G Streets, NW; and an underground garage on D Street between 8th and 9th Streets, NW. The Museum is also surrounded by metered street parking.
The Museum opens daily at 9 am from April until August and at 10 am the rest of the year. Last Admission is at 7 pm April through October, and 5 pm November through March. The Museum closes one hour after Last Admission. A two hour visit is recommended. Hours are subject to change; for the most up-to-date information, visit our Hours page or phone our 24-hour SPY-line: p] 202.393.7798 (202.EYE.SPY.U). The Museum is closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
The International Spy Museum is privately owned and operated with the goal of becoming a self-sustaining Museum completely independent of tax money or government funding. Admission fees, together with restaurant, retail, and membership revenue, support the Museum's research, preservation, and educational programs.
General Admission tickets are $18 for Adults; $17 for Seniors (ages 65+), Active Duty Military and the Intelligence Community (with I.D.); and $15 for Children ages 5 to 11. Children under the age of 5 are free.
Groups of 15 require advance reservations. Bill Adams, Sr. Sales Manager, and Chas. Lum, Group Sales Manager, will assist With any group requests. Chas Lum will assist DCPS 5th grade teachers and takes reservations for the Museum's free admission program.
GROUPS | TICKETS
The Museum offers an admission discount to those who work within the U.S. Intelligence Community. A valid ID is required to qualify for these rates. The Intelligence Community includes the following organizations: Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), National Imagery and Mapping Agency (NIMA), National Reconnaissance Office (NRO), and the National Security Agency (NSA). Also included are the following offices within the Federal Government: U.S. Air Force Intelligence; U.S. Army Intelligence; U.S. Marine Corps Intelligence; U.S. Naval Intelligence; the Department of Energy Office of Intelligence; the Department of Homeland Security; U.S. Coast Guard Intelligence Element; the Department of State Bureau of Intelligence & Research; and the Department of the Treasury Office of Intelligence Support.
While children of all ages are welcome, children ages 12 and older will gain the
most from the exhibits which often include text panels and interactive displays.
Student groups are accepted beginning at the fifth grade.
PROGRAMS
The International Spy Museum fully complies with all ADA requirements for
visitors with disabilities. In addition, wheelchairs are available on a
first-come, first served basis upon request for elderly and disabled visitors;
and sign language interpretation (for public programs only) is available with two week advanced notice. The
Museum also offers a TTY number for the hearing impaired: p] 202.654.0977.
PLAN A VISIT
The International Spy Museum Complex encompasses 64,000 square feet. Over 20,000 square feet make up the permanent exhibition space.
The International Spy Museum experience begins with an orientation to the techniques, tools, and other tradecraft associated with espionage. Visitors watch a Briefing Film and tour the "School for Spies" where 200 artifacts are displayed. The latter also includes interactive exhibits about audio surveillance, threat analysis, and maintaining one's cover. Visitors use this newfound knowledge throughout the rest of the Museum as they explore two floors of intimate galleries that trace the history of espionage from biblical times to the present day. Exhibits feature stories of real spies -- their missions, their fates, and how their espionage affected some of the most pivotal moments in world history. The Museum experience concludes with a film about the significance of intelligence in the 21st Century.
The Museum features the largest collection of international espionage artifacts ever placed on public display, bringing to life the stories of the men and women who used these objects in some of the most secret espionage missions in world history. These artifacts, created by or for intelligence services around the world, have been obtained from a variety of sources. Museum curators conducted extensive global research, often with the help of private collectors and former intelligence officers, to locate artifacts. While some objects are a permanent part of the Museum's collection, others are on loan from international collectors in the United States, Germany, the United Kingdom, Russia, and elsewhere.
From concealment devices, sabotage weapons, and cipher machines to dead drops, secret writings and microdots, the quality of the Museum's collection is unlike any other public institution in the world. Organized in a permanent exhibition, the collection serves as a foundation from which the stories of the men and women who used these objects come to life. These artifacts are supported with historic photographs, interactive exhibits, dramatic audio-visual programming, and film to offer a hands-on and "immersive" museum experience; one that transports the visitor to another time and place with each exhibit space - places populated by some of the least known but most influential figures of the clandestine world.
Only 5% of the Museum is devoted to exhibits referencing the influence real-life espionage has had on popular culture, and vice versa. We trust that our visitors will discover that the real-life stories of espionage are far more than interesting fiction.
The Museum Complex offers a variety of private dining facilities for both intimate and grand scale events. In addition to Zola's private dining room, the spacious Loft Event Rooms, Atlas Meeting Rooms, and Spy City Cafe, the entire 64,000 square foot Museum Complex may be reserved for an exclusive event. Facility Rental/Private Dining: 202.654.0997 or Monica Gargiulo, Director of Private Dining and Catering mgargiulo@zoladc.com
The Museum offers lectures, films, book-signings, and family activities related to espionage featuring people involved in espionage and those who study and write about them. These programs take a thoughtful and thought-provoking look at a wide range of historic and contemporary topics and issues. They provide "behind the scenes" information and new insights into world affairs. For more information, visit our Calendar.
All media inquiries should be directed to the Media Relations Manager, Amanda Abrell: p] 202.654.2843 or aabrell@spymuseum.org. The Museum's Press Room is also a resource for journalists.
All advertising calls should be directed to the Museum's advertising agency, Missi Brooks at the Stern Agency at 410.290.0480.
Employment opportunities are detailed on the Museum's website: Jobs. The Museum is committed to giving preference to qualified candidates who reside in Washington, DC, and posts all job listings on the DC Department of Employment Services' First Source listing, found at dcnetworks.org.
The website, spymuseum.org, offers the most detailed and up-to-date information about the Museum. Recorded information is also available on the 24-Hour SPY-Line: p] 202.393.7798 (202.EYE.SPY.U).
The International Spy Museum is unable to answer queries regarding the identification and appraisal of artifacts.
