Why Are These Items in a Museum?

Can you describe what you do on a typical workday?

Every day is different. Some days, our team answers inquiries about spy history. We might get questions from journalists, people on our social media, and even TV and film crews. Other days, we’re working on an exhibit—doing research, writing labels for displays. Then there’s researching and recording our podcast. I also represent the museum at conferences or do media work. 

I’ve appeared on CNN, on BBC, in The Washington Post, and more.  

How does your museum help people understand history?

Intelligence is a part of every chapter of American history, from spy rings during the American Revolution (1775-1783) to spies in the Civil War (1861-1865) to World War II (1939-1945) and beyond. But people don’t know about it because it’s generally in the background. 

What most people know about spying comes from fiction like James Bond, Jason Bourne, and the Mission Impossible movies. We try to help them understand where fiction ends and fact begins.

Objects can help bring a story alive. If you show people a compass used behind enemy lines during World War II, then they can imagine what that experience was like.

What are your favorite parts of your job?
One would be working with the objects. Quite often we’re sharing secret history. People don’t want the tools they’ve used to come to public light. But we’ve got some of them. The Spy Museum has the largest collection of objects related to spying in the world. Some go back to the 14th century. 

How do you create an exhibit? 
We have to do a lot of research to verify information about each artifact. Is it what we’ve been told it is? Or is it something else? Then we think about how the artifacts tell a story. There’s got to be a thread that connects them together. 

What are the challenges?
Often we don’t have access to all the information. Some things are classified. That means only certain people are supposed to know about them. So we have to do a lot of work—probably more work than a regular history museum has to do—to verify and explain artifacts.

What skills or qualities make you good at your job?
I’m one of the most curious people you will probably meet. I just love learning new things. Another thing is communication. I try really hard to make sure no matter where you’re coming from, there are pathways into the history of spying for you. 

How does your podcast help share spying history?
Someone listening in Namibia or Australia or Chile may not be able to come see our artifacts. But they can still learn about this history. Last year, our podcast reached 2.2 million people around the globe. 

If you could meet a spy from history, who would you pick?
It would probably be Sidney Reilly (c. 1873-1925). He was known as the Ace of Spies. He’s seen as a master spy of his day—he spoke multiple languages, had multiple disguises. He was just really great at blending in and inserting himself into places where he could gather information.

What advice do you have for teens interested in your field?
Go to history museums and study history. Read books, be curious.