The National Cryptologic Museum explores the complex history of code breaking and code making in the United States as the nation?s only public museum in the intelligence community.
The museum, owned by the National Security Agency, opened to the public in 1993.
Norman Jarrett, of Lake City, Fla., is one of the 50,000 to 60,000 visitors the museum receives each year.
He came to see the Aerial Reconnaissance exhibit, one of more than 40 exhibits at the museum.
Part of the Aerial Reconnaissance exhibit honors the 17 men who died in the shooting of a U.S. Air Force reconnaissance aircraft in 1958 ? a breakdown in code writing.
“I was in this outfit,” Jarrett said. “I flew on this plane. I knew most of the guys.”
The museum originally was created as a way to “stimulate [the work force] and inspire them and help them understand their amazing legacy,” museum curator Patrick Weadon said.
The museum follows the history of cryptology from the Civil War to the present, including an exhibit showing how black slaves used code.
Even with the inclusion of modern technology, such as super computers, the core of the museum includes the Enigma, a World War II German decoding machine, Weadon said.
The goal of the museum is “to teach kids that cryptology is fun and plays a significant role in history,” museum education coordinator Jennifer Wilcox said.
To better appeal to students, Wilcox said, she is working on adding four to six game kiosks in a new game room.
“The museum was originally designed for adults, and we?re getting more children than originally anticipated,” said Wilcox, adding that students can see the significance of math in cryptology.
“They are accustomed to going to science museums that are hands-on and interactive,” she said. “If someone is explaining cryptology, they will learn better if they?re playing a cryptology game.”
IF YOU GO
» What: National Cryptologic Museum
» When: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Mondays through Fridays; 10 a.m. to noon first and third Saturdays
» Directions: Take Baltimore/Washington Parkway to Route 32 East. From there, take the Canine Road Exit.
» Admission: Free
» Info: 301-688-5849 or www.nsa.gov/museum/
