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All the United States Washington, D.C. Defense Intelligence Agency Museum

Defense Intelligence Agency Museum

Amid the sprawling Defense Intelligence Agency Headquarters is one of Washington's least accessible museums.

Washington, D.C.

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Edward Denny
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Defense Intelligence Agency Museum   Defense Intelligence Agency [used with permission]
Defense Intelligence Agency Museum   Defense Intelligence Agency [used with permission]
Defense Intelligence Agency Museum   Defense Intelligence Agency [used with permission]
Defense Intelligence Agency Museum   Defense Intelligence Agency [used with permission]
Memorial Wall   Defense Intelligence Agency [Public domain]
Defense Intelligence Agency Museum   Defense Intelligence Agency
Defense Intelligence Agency Museum   Defense Intelligence Agency [used with permission]
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The Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) Museum tells the story of the agency’s nearly 60 years of rooting out the world’s military secrets. 

The DIA is one of the country's “big five” intelligence services and acts as a combat support agency. Its focused mission is made clear at the entrance of the museum, which one reaches after walking past an enormous red mural of major historical events in a giant foyer.

Alongside notorious and celebrated espionage relics are narrations about the villains and heroes in the annals of military history. Prominent among the displays are the stories of DIA analyst Ana Belen Montes, who spied for Cuba from 1985 to 2001, and the rescue of Jessica Lynch.

Additionally, during the final decade of the Cold War, the DIA was known for its annual publication of Soviet Military Power, which gave a public account of the U.S.S.R.’s military capability. Reportedly, the most avid readers of the magazine were Soviet military leaders who were unable to get information about their own military. On display with editions of the DIA publication is the Soviet response journal, Whence the Threat to Peace, which was published only once.

While other spy museums in the nation's capital get more attention, lucky visitors to the DIA Museum will get an uncompromised look at authentic spycraft. However, you won't be able to just walk into this museum, as the only way to view its clandestine contents is if escorted by a DIA employee and with permission. 

Related Tags

Museums Government Secret Hidden

Know Before You Go

Again, the DIA Museum is not open to the general public, but one may visit if escorted by a DIA employee.

Community Contributors

Added By

Edward Denny

Edited By

meredithp, TheMarmoset, gettyhesse

  • meredithp
  • TheMarmoset
  • gettyhesse

Published

March 24, 2020

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  • http://exhibits.si.edu/declassified-mission-dia/
Defense Intelligence Agency Museum
Washington, District of Columbia, 20032
United States
38.845102, -77.010253
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