New museum to lift veil on world of espionage

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Hollywood may have James Bond and his Aston Martin, but Washington always has had the real spies and intrigue.

Over the years with such high-profile spy cases as Aldrich Ames and Robert Hanssen, Washington has become the undisputed capital of espionage.

Now the U.S. capital is about to get a new museum to showcase the history and culture of espionage, a realm whose protagonists have thrived in the shadows, well-hidden from public eyes.

Under construction near the National Portrait Gallery and FBI headquarters in downtown Washington, the International Spy Museum is expected to open in June, offering insights into the world of espionage and its importance to society.

"I would say that, as you and I stand here at Ninth and F [streets], there is espionage going on around us," said Peter Earnest, a longtime CIA officer and director of the new museum, during a recent visit to the site.

VIDEO CNN's David Ensor undergoes a makeover to demonstrate how spies change their looks, part of the world of intrigue to be unveiled in a new museum (March 13) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media) CNN's David Ensor gives a sneak preview of some artifacts from the International Spy Museum, set to open in June in Washington (March 12) Play video (QuickTime, Real or Windows Media)   EXTRA INFORMATION Gallery: Spies Among Us

"Somebody is developing somebody for recruitment. Somebody is putting down a dead drop as we speak," said Earnest, referring to a prearranged hidden location used for secret exchanges of packages, messages and payments.

The museum will feature interactive exhibits, historical footage, storytelling and artifacts, all designed to shine a light into the shadowy world of spying.

The artifacts include gadgets used by spies and intelligence officers through the ages, both American and international.

They include U.S. items, such as a cigarette lighter that doubled as a camera and cipher machines used for secret communications during the Civil War.

There also will be artifacts from other countries, including the former Soviet bloc, such as a red lipstick tube that also served as a gun and an umbrella that could deliver a shot of fatal poison.

The collection includes a German Enigma machine -- the legendary message devices the Nazis relied on without knowing that the Allies had broken their secret code.

According to its organizers, the International Spy Museum will be the world's first public institution dedicated to presenting the world history of espionage. It will feature the world's largest permanent collection of international spy-related artifacts on public display.