Spy Museum Kicks Off America’s 250th Birthday with Slate of A250-Focused Programming, Experiences

Camouflage Exhibit, United States of Espionage Tour, Josephine Baker-Inspired Trip to France, and More

February 3, 2026 – WASHINGTON – As the United States enters its 250th year, the International Spy Museum (SPY) has developed a diverse array of programming for the Semiquincentennial, exploring the history of the country through the lens of espionage and intelligence. With festivities and specialized opportunities suited for families, adults, and educators, SPY shares the following slate. 

“The complex and evolving history of the United States is one deeply rooted in intelligence and espionage,” says Chris Costa, Executive Director of the International Spy Museum. “The 250th anniversary gives SPY the perfect opportunity to illuminate this animating truth and to share the breadth of American history through the intrigue of espionage.”  

New Exhibit: “Camouflage: Designed to Deceive”

  • When: Opens Sunday, March 1
  • What: A sleek, new immersive special exhibition explores the world of camouflage and its four main principles: to disappear, to distort, to disguise, and to deceive. Utilizing real stories, artifacts, and interactive media, the exhibit reveals camouflage’s origins in the natural world and how the deception technique has been used throughout history, from espionage and the battlefield to technology, pop culture, fashion, and beyond.  American history – like the history of all nations – is full of tales of hide and seek.
  • More information and tickets: LINK HERE. 

New Tour Offering: “United States of Espionage”  

  • When: Ongoing. Starting February 13; offered Fridays-Sundays at 12:30pm and 2:30pm 
  • What: From revolutionary nation to world superpower, the United States’ history is deeply intertwined with the development of modern espionage and intelligence. Each skilled volunteer guide will personalize the tour content and bring it to life for visitors. Tours will last 45 minutes to an hour and are only available for guests 16 and older.
  • Cost: $10/person, available for purchase as an add-on to Museum admission.
  • Registration: https://www.spymuseum.org/visit/tours/public-guided-tours/#usoe 

SPY Festival: “Red, White, and Spy: Tradecraft Try Its”

  • When: June 19-July 14
  • What: Curious about writing in invisible ink like George Washington or slipping secret notes like Virginia Hall? The Museum invites visitors to try out real spy skills inspired by American history through quick, hands-on activities for ages 9+ in the Museum’s exhibits (for visitors) and on the outdoor plaza (weather permitting, for passersby). Registration not required; no charge for participation.

New Teacher Workshop: “Stars, Stripes, and Spies: Teaching the Secret History of America”

  • When: June 28-July 2
  • What: Using the lens of intelligence and espionage, teachers will learn new hands-on, inquiry-based strategies to teach pivotal moments in US history, from the American Revolution to the Global War on Terror. Applications have already closed for this new, immersive, four-day educator professional development workshop designed for secondary history and social studies teachers. 

Spy Museum Field Trip to France: “Josephine Baker: An American Hero in France”

  • When: October 1-8
  • Join Best of France Travels and the International Spy Museum for an exclusive tour of American icon Josephine Baker’s France. On this tour you’ll be introduced to Baker’s incredible life by “Agent Josephine” best-selling author Damien Lewis, explore the neighborhoods and clubs where she performed, learn about her work in the shadows from former CIA Chief of Disguise Jonna Mendez, and receive additional context from Museum staff experts Mira Cohen and Amanda Ohlke on Baker’s role in US history. 
  • More information and registration: https://www.spymuseum.org/calendar/travel-opportunity-josephine-baker-an-american-hero-in-france/2026-10-01/  

Additional A250 Spy Museum Programs throughout the Year:

Starting in May, the Spy Museum unveils a free, special A-250 inspired Family SPY Guide for those visiting with kids 10 and younger to offer a more structured exploration of American espionage stories. For those viewing the marvels of DC on foot, the Spy Museum’s new “Secret History of History” walking tour, available free via the International Spy Museum app, will offer an audio-first voyage into the many historic spy sites across the capital city. 

The Museum will also carry 250th anniversary stainless steel tumblers, mugs, and foil journals, as well as a vast and spanning collection of books on American history topics so visitors can continue to learn about America’s espionage past and commemorate their trip in this anniversary year.   

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About the International Spy Museum

The International Spy Museum, an independent nonprofit organization, is the only public museum in the United States to lift the veil on the tradecraft, history, and contemporary role of espionage and intelligence from a global perspective. The Museum’s mission is to create compelling exhibitions and other learning experiences that shed light on the shadow world of espionage and intelligence, educating and challenging each of us to engage critically with the complex world around us. The Museum's collection chronicles the history of espionage, from its inception to the modern-day challenges facing intelligence professionals worldwide in the 21st century. The original Spy Museum opened in 2002. Its new, expanded building and all-new exhibitions opened in May 2019 to much acclaim.

For more information, please visit spymuseum.org.