The NSA Museum
Just outside the heavily fortified campus of the National Security Agency in Annapolis Junction, Maryland, sits a museum highlighting the work of that agency's employees. But how much is the mysterious intelligence outfit willing to reveal? Plenty. From original Enigma machines to an exhibit on the Soviet attempt to steal the Manhattan Project's secrets to a replica "cypher wheel" designed by Thomas Jefferson, the National Cryptologic Museum offers a surprisingly meaty assortment of cryptography artifacts.
The run-down building is even looking to grow. A sign announces that an exhibit on "information assurance" will open soon, and an ongoing capital campaign will eventually result in a new (and largely privately funded) 87,000-square-foot home for the museum.
There's no mention of the domestic spying efforts brought to light by Edward Snowden. But perhaps decades hence he'll be recognized there alongside other fallen heroes and living honorees.
This article originally appeared in print under the headline "The NSA Museum."
Hide Comments (0)
Editor's Note: As of February 29, 2024, commenting privileges on reason.com posts are limited to Reason Plus subscribers. Past commenters are grandfathered in for a temporary period. Subscribe here to preserve your ability to comment. Your Reason Plus subscription also gives you an ad-free version of reason.com, along with full access to the digital edition and archives of Reason magazine. We request that comments be civil and on-topic. We do not moderate or assume any responsibility for comments, which are owned by the readers who post them. Comments do not represent the views of reason.com or Reason Foundation. We reserve the right to delete any comment and ban commenters for any reason at any time. Comments may only be edited within 5 minutes of posting. Report abuses.
Please
to post commentsMute this user?
Ban this user?
Un-ban this user?
Nuke this user?
Un-nuke this user?
Flag this comment?
Un-flag this comment?