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We may be using fingerprints to open our phones these days, but before biometrics, spies had only one way into a secure treasure house of information: lock picking. Surreptitious entry gets an operative in and out, no questions asked.
In this workshop, led by District Locksport, you’ll find out how locks work and how to pick them. You’ll try your hand at getting out of zip-ties and handcuffs. You’ll also discover the truth about field expedient lock picking tools or in other words just how handy a bobby pin can be. Participants will work in small groups getting hands-on practice with lock picking experts, and once you’ve gained some skill, you’ll compete against other pickers on timed challenges to open locked cases.
The workshop will be held at Tolson at The Mayflower Hotel. The hotel is the scene of many famous spy stories and the restaurant is named for the FBI’s longtime head J. Edgar Hoover who dined at The Mayflower daily and Tolson is a nod to his protégé and lifelong confidant. A “Pick Your Poison” drink menu is featured for us this evening. A few drinks really help your lockpicking skills activate. Food and drink will be available for purchase throughout the event.
Tolson is located in The Mayflower Hotel at 1127 Connecticut Avenue, NW, Washington DC 20036.
High-quality lock picking kits will be available to take home after the class for $25 (cash or card). Please email spyprograms@spymusem.org if you would like one.
Discover Tolson
The Mayflower Hotel is home to Tolson Restaurant, named after Clyde Tolson, J. Edgar’s protege, private dining space. Tolson promises to surprise you as the alter ego of Edgar. Now available for private meetings and special events in Washington, DC.