National Archives Hosts Tales from the Crypt-ologic Museum!
By Angela Tudico | National Archives News
WASHINGTON, January 17, 2025 — Can you keep a secret? The next installment of the National Archives’ monthly virtual program, Inside the Vault, will reveal quite a few with “Secret Messages, Ciphers, Codes, and Cryptology in American History” on Thursday, January 23 at 6 p.m. ET.
In partnership with the National Cryptologic Museum, the program will explore how secret messages and codes are woven into key moments throughout American history. Moderator and Director of the National Cryptologic Museum Dr. Vincent Houghton, will be joined by Director of Education Jen Wilcox, Chief Librarian/Archivist Rob Simpson, and Director of Preservation and Conservation MacKenzie Fox.
The panel will discuss techniques that have been used to protect sensitive information and ensure secure communication from the Revolutionary era to modern times. They will focus on key periods in U.S. cryptologic history such as the World War I era, which is also the advent of electromechanical cipher devices, as well some of their favorite artifacts.
“Some of the artifacts that we will be highlighting in this program include the oldest known existing cipher wheel in the world, which is thought to have been designed and built by Thomas Jefferson himself, and a Civil War Signal Corps flag that is one of the rarest items in our collection” said Houghton. “One hundred percent of the artifacts we hold at the museum are authentic. No replicas, no reproductions. Most of our artifacts are one of a kind—that is, you can see them nowhere else.”
The Jefferson Cipher on display at the National Cryptologic Museum. Photo courtesy of the National Cryptologic Museum.
The National Cryptologic Museum collects and preserves unique cryptologic artifacts. It is located adjacent to the National Security Agency (NSA) Headquarters at Fort George G. Meade, Maryland, and is home to thousands of artifacts that document the nation’s cryptologic history. The museum features exhibits and offers guided tours by current and former NSA personnel, as well as field trips for students.
The reference library at the museum is open to visitors interested in researching cryptology. The collection can be also searched online via the Museum Collection Database.
“We are thrilled to be partnering with the National Cryptologic Museum for this month’s Inside the Vault,” said Grace McCaffrey, director of Public Programs and Special Events. “Not only is their collection of artifacts endlessly fascinating, it complements records we hold here at the National Archives.”
Registration for “Inside the Vault: Secret Messages, Ciphers, Codes, and Cryptology in American History” is now open. The program will be streamed live on YouTube and Facebook.
Inside the Vault is fully virtual, accessible anywhere, and open to everyone. The program can be found on the National Archives YouTube channel after each month’s live stream.
Learn more about Inside the Vault and upcoming programs by visiting the series web page. This and other future programming can also be found on the National Archives Calendar of Events.
This program is made possible in part by the National Archives Foundation.