FORT MEADE, Md. –
The National Cryptologic Museum (NCM) showcased its newest exhibit, Revolutionary Secrets, which tells the story of cryptology during the American Revolutionary War, at a colorful ceremony on Thursday, 14 February.
Cutting the ribbon to the National Cryptologic Museum's newest exhibit was (l-r) National Security Agency (NSA) Chief of Staff Elizabeth Brooks, Deputy Director and host of the event John C. Inglis, National Cryptologic Museum Foundation President Dr. Richard C. Schaeffer, and NSA Associate Director of Strategic Communications Judith Emmel.
A drum roll from the U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Baroque Trumpet Ensemble culminated in the ribbon-cutting by the host and National Security Agency (NSA) Deputy Director John C. Inglis. Joining him in cutting the ceremonial ribbon was the NSA Chief of Staff Elizabeth Brooks, National Cryptologic Museum Foundation President Dr. Richard C. Schaeffer and NSA Associate Director of Strategic Communications Judith Emmel.
In his remarks, Mr. Inglis said the exhibit represents the beginning of American cryptologic history and demonstrates how even our Founding Fathers recognized the importance of collecting intelligence and protecting communications.
Visitors at the exhibit experienced some of the Revolutionary War period cryptologic methods for themselves by trying out the hands-on activities offered at the Revolutionary Secrets exhibit, including invisible ink, simple cipher, hidden messages, and dictionary code.
The U.S. Army 3rd Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps and Baroque Trumpet Ensemble provided plenty of color and colonial period music at the event.
The NCM displays some of the rarest items in American cryptology, revealing the evolution of code making and code breaking and secrets that changed the course of history. Its research library maintains a collection of unclassified and declassified books and documents on cryptology and is an excellent resource to students, scholars, and those interested in this once secret world.
The museum is located at Routes 295 and 32 adjacent to the Ft. Meade, Md., Army post. For more information on the museum, tours, educational programs, and hours and days of operation, visit the National Cryptologic Museum web page on NSA.gov, or the museum's Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NationalCryptologicMuseum.