Hall Of The Silent Warriors
A Visit To The National Cryptologic Museum
An hour southwest of Baltimore, MD, a collection of historical treasure is on display in a small, unassuming looking building. The National Cryptologic Museum is a major part of the National Security Agency’s public outreach, and the museum is located a short distance from NSA headquarters near Fort Meade. Given the NSA’s scope of work and influence, you might expect a rather lavish, modern looking facility, but that isn’t the case. It is quite modest and appears to be partially staffed by volunteers. It’s obvious that the dedication of the staff, rather than piles of money, is what keeps the place going. If you’re an enthusiast of the history of computers, military history, or especially interested in codes and codebreaking, this little building is worth your time to visit.
To get there, you take the exit for the NSA, which, to my amusement, is clearly marked. There’s not much else at that exit, and the signs pointing the way to the museum look almost home made. I was greeted by an exceptionally friendly and helpful gentleman, who asked what my interests were, where I was from, and what I hoped to see. I asked a question about how I…
