Spy Museum Revamps Culper Spy Ring Exhibit

Experience the all-new and reimagined “Spying Launched a Nation” exhibit, now showcasing one of the treasures of the Museum’s collection and the iconic story of the Culper Spy Ring, the first American spy network.

Made possible by a generous grant from the Verstandig Family Foundation, the new exhibit now boasts a fully immersive space with projections on the walls and floor as well as OLED monitors that allow the characters of George Washington and the Culper Spy Ring to come alive in hologram like imagery.

The experience is narrated by the charismatic and inimitable Chris Jackson, best known for his role as George Washington in the original cast of the Broadway musical, Hamilton.

A priceless 1777 letter written by George Washington authorizing America’s first official effort at espionage is the centerpiece of this unique experience. The resulting innovative intelligence work was instrumental in winning the Revolutionary War against the British forces.

Using the Culper Spy Ring as a quintessential example of how intelligence work can change the trajectory of international affairs, a new “Why Spy?” video incorporates stories ripped from the headlines that show examples of the importance of credible intelligence in our modern world.

This unique media installation was designed and produced in partnership with Cortina Productions and Electrosonic, Inc. with fabrication support from ExPlus and Russell Gage.