A Brief History of the CIA Museum in Virginia
The Museum at the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in Langley, Virginia, celebrates many of the technological advancements that have helped CIA operatives be the best spies they can be.
The purpose of the CIA Museum is to give agency workers the opportunity to learn about the successful deployment of covert technology throughout the decades. Former CIA director William Colby called for the creation of the museum in 1972, and the curator with the Agency’s Historical Intelligence Collection started gathering artifacts. In the mid-1980s, the museum obtained a 400-square-foot (37.1-square-meter) space at CIA headquarters.
When the CIA celebrated its 50th anniversary in 1997, the museum greatly expanded its exhibits. It showcased about 6,000 clandestine espionage artifacts from the Cold War, including objects from the United States, the former Soviet Union, and East Germany. From then on, the museum’s collection only continued to grow. A 2002 exhibit showcased the efforts of the Directorate of Intelligence to educate and inform presidents and policymakers, and a 2003 exhibition displayed technological artifacts produced by the Directorate of Science and Technology. The 60th-anniversary exhibit in 2017 was a parallel analysis between Operation Enduring Freedom in Afghanistan and World War II.
The museum today is about 11,000 square feet (1,022 square meters), and its collection holds several thousand artifacts, although only about 10% are on display. While non-classified objects can be displayed at the museum, it also contains many classified items.
Unfortunately, only those who have clearance to access CIA headquarters can visit the physical museum. However, it also has an online presence, with many of its artifacts displayed in virtual exhibits. They include an insectothopter, which is a miniaturized aerial device made to look like an insect for the purpose of intelligence collection, and two examples of what “well-dressed” spies would wear for a formal event. The outfits look normal but conceal a hidden camera behind a button or brooch.
So, while you might not be able to see the museum in person, the CIA welcomes you to walk through its collection online.
Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.
Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.
Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.
Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.
We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.
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