INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP84-00780R005500110029-1
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: S
• Document Page Count: 35
• Document Creation Date: December 14, 2016
• Document Release Date: January 3, 2003
• Sequence Number: 29
• Publication Date: January 1, 1972
• Content Type: MISC

r Release 2003/04/2a: CIA-RDP84-00780
SUBJECT: Intelligence Museum
Meeting scheduled:
10:00 a.m.
23 August 72
STAT
Note for the Record:
Mr . Wattles attended the
meeting and received the attached
draft.
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D. D / S
I L E 1--~_ _-- -
DRAFT DRAFT
I hope within the next few weeks to establish a program
for conserving and when appropriate exhibiting material
which has been significant in the development of CIA and
its operations, before such material is lost or dispersed.
In order to accomplish this I intend to appoint an
Intelligence Museum Commission, which will be responsible
for establishing and then supervising the following program:
a. Identifying, cataloguing and conserving
documents, photographs, hardware and other materiel,
and miscellaneous memorabilia which have been signi-
ficant in the development of CIA and its operations;
b. Arranging for their progressive declassification,
on terms agreed to by whichever directorate used the
material operationally; and
c. Exhibiting the material when exhibition would
have a salutary effect on employee morale, on training,
or on special problems the DCI identifies.
The Commission will be responsible tome,?but as noted in
task b. above, it must also be responsible to the operational
security needs of each of the directorates. Therefore I am
asking each of you to nominate one member of the Commission.
Also I would like to have an additional nomination to
represent each unit within your directorate which may have
a special stake in assemblying an historical collection
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of intelligence material. NPIC, TSD, 0 and OC seem to STAT
me to be such units, particularly because most of them
already have developed similar programs on their own.
In addition to nominees from the directorates I plan to
appoint a chairman, plus two members at large. One will be
the Agency Historian and one will be a member of the Fine
Arts Commission in order to establish coordination between
these two commissions. The Agency Historical Staff will act
as secretariat for the Intelligence Museum Commission.
I do not intend that the Intelligence Museum Commission
should take physical possession of all material that it
identifies and catalogues for the historical collection.
Offices which have the space and interest in housing their
own historical material may retain custody of it so long as
it remains under the ultimate control of the Intelligence
Museum Commission and is not destroyed or dispersed without
the Commission's sanction.
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MINUTES
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM
2 August 1972
STAT
Chairman
CIA Anniversary Exhibit:
Mr. Pforzheimer reviewed his plans for this exhibit
which he proposes be in place on September 12.
Cuban Missile Crisis Exhibit:
STAT I Iwith his colleagues, briefed the
Committee on the development of plans for this exhibit.
Everything seems in good order and the committee had no
comment except commendation for the work they had done.
Proposal to Locate the Intelligence Museum Function in the
Historical Staff:
Members had received copies of the memorandum from the
Executive Director proposing the location of the Intelligence
Museum function in the Historical Staff. Mr. Pforzheimer,
STAT speaking also for who was on leave, was
strongly opposed to the Executive Director's proposal.
After extensive discussion the Chairman proposed that
he review this discussion with the Executive Director
orally and that he seek to arrange with Mr. Colby for a
discussion either with all of the members of the Museum
so that their point might be most effectively made.
Committee, or at least Messrs. Pforzheimer and
STAT
(,/Chairman
STAT
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18 July 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR: Chairman, Fine Arts Commission
SUBJECT : The Intelligence Museum
REFERENCE : Memo to ExDir from C/FAC dtd 30 Jun 72,
Subj: Intelligence Museum Concept
1. Thank you for this excellent review. Your points with respect
to the need to capture our material as the first priority are well taken,
arranging the showing of it later as appropriate. Also, I think it im-
portant that we recognize the compartmented nature of the Agency at
work and not try to centralize all the material in one Agency museum.
2. The.organizational problem of how to approach this subject is
closely analagous to that of the production of Agency histories. Here
we have the same compartmentation problem, central indexing, early
capture, etc. In addition, I confess some disinclination to seeing the
establishment of separate committees or commissions when the func-
tion can be consolidated into an existing one.
3. I would suggest, therefore, that we use the Historical Pro-
gram as the vehicle for developing a museum. program. The Historical
Program already has an Agency Historical Staff, Directorate Historical
Officers, etc. I would thus suggest that, after these initial probes into
the general subject, we bring this matter under the aegis of the Histori-
cal Staff and Program for continued movement along the excellent lines
you have outlined.
4. Could you review these papers with this thought in mind, after
which we will have a basis upon which to go to the Deputies.
25X1
W. E. Co y
Attachment:
Reference
cc: Chief, Historical Staff
Approved For Ro
Executive Director-Comptroller
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30 June 1972
ecutive Registry
7a
.!.rmuH"vuM rvnt: virec"cor of .- gami Lu&1 J "5' JUL W72.
TOUGH: .r, Deputy Director for Support ;
SUBJECT: Acquisition of Exhibit Panel
Materials
1. The Ad Hoc Committee on the Intelligence Museum has
been studying the question both of a classified intelligence
museum and the unclassified exhibition of museum material.
It is planning to have its first major exhibit, one on the
Cuban Missile Crisis, on the materials having earlier been
declassified. It is proposed that this exhibit would be
displayed in Corridor I D during October and November,
following an exhibition of materials relating to the 25th
anniversary of the establishment of CIA. For the Cuban
Missile Crisis exhibit NPIC is now preparing a sequence of
photographic and textual materials along with declassified
hardware which would effectively tell the story of the Cuban
Missile Crisis in terms of the layman. The panels they are
preparing will be displayed on panels 4x4, 4x6, and 4x8 feet
and would be suspended from the existing track in the ceiling
of Corridor 1 D. The panels will require some device for
containment and suspension. NPIC has made a thorough In-
vestigation of commercial materials available for this and
has concluded on an extruded aluminum-magnesium framing
material, the cost of which for the 32 panels necessary
would be about $3500. The material would be fabricated
into the aforementioned sizes by NPIC. Their exhibit would
be mounted on a masonite-formica board which will be inserted
into an openable end of the frame. The same framing material
will allow the use of a back board material which can accept
push-pins. Furthermore if necessary in any exhibit a plastic
shield can be insinuated into a groove at the front of the
frame. NPIC will provide the masonite-formica material for
the panels.
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 STAT
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2. These frames, once fabricated, can be stored while
not in use, can be used in whole or in part for exhibition
anywhere in the Agency including at our training installa-
tions or other buildings. It is the view of the Ad Hoc
Committee on Intelligence Museum that this acquisition would
serve the long term interests not only of the display of
museum materials but for other purposes.
3. Will you please provide $3500 for the
the frames, details for which will be provided
Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the
Museum.
purchase of
by
Intelligence
STAT
WILLIAM E. COLBY
Executive Direct or-Comppoller
ATINTL
DD/S Distribution:
Orig & 1' Adse
s1 - DD/S subject
STAT
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STAT
Chairman, Fine Arts Commission
I won't be here Tuesday for the Museum meeting, but
attached is a memo I propose you send to Bill Colby. I've
STAT sent drafts of it to and to STAT
Both concurred, subject to a couple of changes which I've
already made.
As a cover for the attached memoranda I suggest, in
addition, an informal note to Colby from you, saying something
like the following:
STAT
We had hoped to be able to come up with a specific
suggestion of someone who should head up the museum/
historical preservation effort which is discussed in
the attached somewhat more formal paper. The best
suggestion we've come up with for an historical
material czar is Hugh Cunningham, who seems to be
exactly the kind of senior officer who could pro-
vide the personal reassurance this program will
need that carefully guarded devices(particularly
those of the DDSIT and the DDP) won't rashly be
declassified just so.they can be exhibited. Jack
talked to Hugh in these terms, and learned
that although Hugh would be interested he'll be
retiring soon and he's already overly involved in
other possible assignments dealing with history,
archives, and the larger issues of declassification.
I note a kinship between these topics, which in
turn interrelate to the problem at hand, the problem
of conserving important historical material and
declassifying and exhibiting it when these latter
actions are appropriate. I therefore hope that this
informal suggestion that Hugh be worked into the
historical material program as the man in charge can
be accommodated into any plans that are being made
for him.
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0
If you generally agree with the approach we
have taken in the attached paper we will be glad to
make further recommendations about personnel, if
you want, although I feel that at this point recom-
mendations from the deputy directors,-for which the
paper provides, would be more appropriate.
We are proceeding with the Cuban missile crisis exhibit,
timed for the 10th anniversary of the crisis, but will turn
it over to an historical material commission of one is formed.
STAT
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0
23 June 1972/DRAFT:JS
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Director-Comptroller
FROM: Chairman, Fine Arts Commission
The attached concept paper by
STAT
identifies a set of principles connected with the establish-
ment of an historical museum which I would like to recommend
to you. They are:
1. Some offices -- Communications is an example -- have
taken an historical view and already have begun to preserve
technical gear which in its day raised the technology of
communication to a higher plateau, or gear which has been
used in notable operational cases. Other offices with less
sense of history have no such program, and already may have
lost or destroyed material which played a significant role
in CIA's history, then became outmoded and was discarded.
3. Exhibition -- the concept of a museum -- is a
by-product of preservation. At least initially emphasis
should be given to the primary task of identifying historical
material in order to arrange for its preservation, rather than
to the luxury of exhibiting it. This sequence should help
deflect a natural concern that the security of a sensitive
device, even an outmoded one, machined into one or another
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STAT
STAT
piece of intelligence collection may be threatened by ex-
hibiting in a museum. For this reason we see the museum
as evolving slowly, and perhaps at several security levels.
4. The basic museum as we visualize it would not be a
static collection. Instead it would be a series of displays
using declassified historical material which would be rotated
in and out of the conservancy collection. (The forthcoming
exhibit of Cuban missile crisis photographs and hardware is
a good example of endlessly interesting material which once
was highly classified but now can be shown in this way.)
A possible adjunct to the basic museum collection would be a
small museum which we understand the DCI wants near his office,
in which he could show Agency achievements to selected visitors.
Other additions to the basic museum would be the small spe-
cialized museums which already exist, such as the Communica-
Such satellite museums in
our opinion should continue, and should not be superseded
by a central museum. In fact we would expect these satellite
museums to provide exhibits to the central museum, and to
whatever small classified museum is created for the DCI.
5. No central repository need be established for all
material which is designated as. historical. Offices which
have the space and the interest in housing their own histori-
cal material (Commo, OTR, and TSD are examples) should be
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allowed to retain custody of it, so long as all items which
have been accorded historical material status are recognized
as being under the ultimate control of the central Agency
collection. Nevertheless, at least one storage site will
have to be established for the historical material from
offices which lack storage space of their own.
STAT
is a possible site. Special storage arrangement may have
to be made from time to time for especially sensitive items.
6. In summary we see the problem as the following:
a.. Identifying, cataloguing and preserving
documents, photographs, hardware and other materiel,
vehicles and miscellaneous memorabilia which have
been significant in the development of CIA and its
operations;
b. Arranging for their progressive declassifi-
cation, on terms agreed to by whichever directorate
used the material operationally; and
c. Exhibiting the material when exhibition
would have a salutary effect on employee morale,
on training, or on special problems the DCI identifies.
We believe that a one-shot exhibit such as the Cuban missile
crisis can be arranged under the aegis of the Yi-n-e mss
Commission, as is being done, but that the larger problem
needs the attention of a separate commission which will attend
not just to the last but to all three of the foregoing functions.
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0
Furthermore we think it important to find a senior officer
to chair the historical material commission and actively to
head the program, whom the directorates will trust with the
custody of historical material items which in some cases
may be politically sensitive as well as highly classified.
Our guess is that either the commission chairman or alter-
natively a curator working under his. guidance will have to
be employed full time.
If you agree that the foregoing principles are a
reasonable basis for further action I suggest that they be
distributed to the Deputy Directors for comment, and for
their recommendations of candidates to take the commission
chairmanship and get the program rolling.
Chairman, Fine its Commission
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STAT
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DISPLAY COSTS
PROPOSAL #1
Frames, lb" aluminum .................................... $3,416.00
Panels, 1/16 formica cemented to 1/8" tempered ..
masonite (wt. 46 lbs. per 4' X 8' panel) .......... 832.75
? SUBTOTAL $4,248.75
Plastic protective panel, .093'. thick ................... 1,216.60
TOTAL COST $5,465.35
Total weight per panel ...... 83 lbs.
PROPOSAL #2
-Frames, 4" wide aluminum w/round corners ................ $15,350.00
Panels, tempered masonite w/plactic finish............ 519.65
TOTAL COST $15,869.65
NOTE: Frame cost includes plastic protective cover.
Total weight per panel ...... 117 lbs.
PROPOSAL # 3
Frames, 4" wide, wood, square corners ................... $8,525.00
Panels, tempered masonite - we finish .................. 505.05
SUBTOTAL .$9,025.05
Plastic protective panels, .093 thick .......... :........ 1,216.60
TOTAL COST $10,241.65
Total weight per panel ...... 97 lbs.
NOTE: All proposals are for a total of 35 panels - 30 each 4' X 8'
and 5 each 4' X 6'. All framing includes hardware and brac-
ing for hanging.
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STAT MEMORANDUM FOR:
SUBJECT : Draft Re Historical Museum:'
Your note of 21 June 1972 aptirs to me to make all the
points needed to get the prograia under May. Page 2, line 10
and 11 should read: "the Communications museum
STAT
Executive Ass san., OC
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STAT
STAT
STAT
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21 June 1972
MEMORANDUM FOR: Executive Director-Comptroller
FROM: Chairman, Fine Arts Commis-sion
The attached concept paper by
identifies a set of principles connected with the establish-
ment of an historical museum which I would like to recommend
to you. They are:
1. Some offices -> Communications is an example -- have
taken an historical view and already have begun to preserve
technical gear which in its day raised the technology of
communication to a higher plateau, or gear which has been
used in notable operational cases. Other offices with less
sense of history have no such program, and already may have
lost or destroyed material which played a significant role
in CIA's history, then became outmoded and was discarded.
2. The task we must undertake then, well before we
talk about a museum, is to identify, and tag for non-destruction,
all material which is important to the history of CIA's opera-
t:Tonal development, before the material finally vanishes.
This effort would involve documents, photographs, hardware
and other materiel, vehicles and miscellaneous memorabilia,
all henceforth called "historical material."
3. Exhibition -- the concept of a museum --. is a
by-product of preservation. At least initially emphasis
should be given to the primary task of identifying historical
material in order to arrange for its preservation, rather than
to the luxury of exhibiting it. This sequence should help
deflect a natural concern that the security of a trade secret,
machined into one or another piece of intelligence collection
gear, may be threatened by exhibiting it in a museum. For
this reason we see the museum as evolving slowly, and perhaps
at several security levels.
4. The basic museum as we visualize it would not be a
static collection. Instead it would be a series of displays
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STAT
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using declassified historical material which would be rotated
in and out of the conservancy collection. (The forthcoming
exhibit of Cuban missile crisis photographs and hardware is
a good example of endlessly interesting material which once
was highly classified but now can be shown in this way.)
A possible additional installation would be a small museum
which we understand the DCI wants as an adjunct to his office,
in which he could show Agency achievements to selected visitors.
Other additions to the basic museum would be the small special-
sib 4
ch already exist, such as the Communications
ized m
STAT Museum nd the OTR Museum Such STAT
satellite museums n our opinion should continue, and should
not be superseded by a central museum. In fact we would expect
these satellite museums to provide exhibits to the central
museum, and to whatever small classified museum is created for
the DCI.
S. No central repository need be established for all
material which is designated as historical. Offices which have
the space and the interest in housing their own historical
material (Comoro and OTR are examples) should be allowed to
retain custody of it, so long as items which have been accorded
historical material status in these subsidiary collections
is recognized as being under the ultimate control of the
central Agency collection. In addition, however, at least
one storage site will have to be established for the historical
material from offices which lack storage space of their own.
STAT is a possible site. Special storage arrangement
may have to be made from time to time for especially sensitive
items.
6. In summary we see the problem as the following:
a. Identifying, cataloguing and preserving
documents, photographs, hardware and other materiel,
vehicles and miscellaneous memorabilia which have
been significant in the development of CIA and its
operations;
b. Arranging for their progressive declassifi-
cation; and
c. Exhibiting the material when exhibition would
have a salutary effect on employee morale, on training,
or on special problems the DCI identifies.
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We believe that a one-shot exhibit such as of the Cuban
missile crisis can be arranged under the aegis of the Fine
Arts Commission as is being done, but that the larger problem
needs the attention of a separate committee who will attend
not just to the last but to all three of the foregoing functions.
Furthermore we think it important to find a senior officer to
chair the historical material committee and actively to head the
program, whom the directorates will trust with the custody of
historical material items which in some cases may be politically
sensitive as well as highly classified. Our guess is that either
~ a to bealternatively #ullcurator working under
the Committee chairman
his guidance will
If you agree that the foregoing principles are a
reasonable basis for further action I suggest that they be
distributed to the deputy directors for comment, and for their
recommendations of candidates to take the committee chairmanship
and get the program rolling.
~Lj
Chairman, Fine Arts commission
STAT
3
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STAT
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MINUTES OF MEETING
AD HOC COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM
13 June 1972
1. Cuban Missile Crisis Exhibit: I lalong STAT
with his colleagues, ran through a flip car book showing
the organization and content of a proposed exhibit on the
above subject. Their presentation also included a drawing
of Corridor 1 A and the number of panels required for the
exhibit.
The committee discussed problems of lighting and mode
of hanging. The Chairman requested Mr. Pforzheimer to ob-
tain information available from the National Gallery or
Archives with regard to appropriate light for the preserva-
tion of documents, but with proper illumination.
Z. r'unctional Statement: Idisbrituted a STAT
concept paper which will be looked at at th
e next meeting
along with a functional statement which he and STAT
will prepare.
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A G E N D A
AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR
CIA INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM
13 June 1972
1000 Hours, Room 2 E 62
STAT
STAT
1. Planning for first exhibition - Cuban
missile crisis. will have a layout
of their proposal for the exhibit for your criticism.
2. Review drafts of an Executive Director an-
nouncement or regulation relating to the Intelligence
Museum function and program. (Messrs. I land STAT
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MEETING OF THE AD HOC COMMITTEE FOR
CIA INTELLIGENCE MUSEUM
25X1
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'SD
PIC
DCI/IC
DDP
Chairman
Walter Pforzheimer, ODCI
1. The Chairman explained that the Executive Director
had initiated the exploration of the possibility of estab-
lishing a CIA Intelligence Museum and initially he had agreed
to use Corridor 1 A on the first floor, moving the cases now
in Corridor 1 D to 1 A. Displays in this area would of course
have to be unclassified because they would be subject to
viewing by visitors as well as Agency employees. Mr. Colby
had requested, the Chairman said, that he discuss with
Mr. Angleton ideas which he had regarding a classified in-
telligence museum, a mission not yet accomplished.
A Program for Identification and Preservation of Intelligence
Objects of Historical Interest:
2. A central theme of the discussion in the meeting,
on which there was unanimous agreement, was the importance
of proceeding promptly to develop a program to conserve
materiel which has developed historical value because it has
played a significant role in any of CIA's missions, or in
foreign counter-actions against CIA. The elements of such
a program would involve alerting all offices to be attentive
to identifying and preserving objects of historical intelli-
gence or other operational interest without prejudice to
their eventual classification status and their ultimate dis-
playabilit. It was noted that already Commo at
and DDPI in regard to PM gear had in effect
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established such collections. The Chair was requested to
look into whether offices such as Security, Training,
Logistics, 0 or Medics had, however informally, been
conscious of the historical implications of their activities.
3. It was also the view of the group that any program,
to be effective, would require some instruction from the
Executive Director and some central and full-time conservator
who would provide the energy and supervision leading to the
systematic and thoughtful preservation of objects of histori-
cal interest, and to their progressive declassification to
the extent that security and public image permits.
4. It was recognized that from time to time from such
satellite museums, as illustrated by the Commo museum at
play in the open museum. Attention was called to the fact
that the basic program of conservation might be adversely
affected by emphasizing the possibility of future use in an
unclassified museum.
materials could be drawn to supply a Headquarters
classified museum or, if security permitted, for public dis-
5. Action: Messrs. I Iwere requested 25X1
to prepare draft papers outlining the concept of the conser-
vation program as well as necessary papers which would
initiate such a program. Deadline - June 20.
Immediate Possibilities for Exhibits in the Open Intelligence
Museum:
6. Action: It was agreed that I NPIC, would 25X1
report to the committee in two weeks on the possibility of
using the materials available in NPIC regarding the Cuban
crisis of 1962, along with suggestions as to sources outside
of NPIC which might be relevant. I was requested 25X1
to prepare for initial discussion a stock-taking list of
objects which might be included. Furthermore it was tenta-
tively agreed that October this year being the 10th anniversary
of the Cuban crisis, as well as there being available materials
which had already been declassified, would make this possi-
bility attractive as a first venture in the open intelligence
museum.
25X1
7. Action: Messrs. agreed to explore
within their respective areas intelligence objects_of foreign
origin acquired by the United States which might be of
historical interest as an exhibit. As reported at the meeting
the finder is the keeper. Thus, such objects might be in the
SECRET
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custody of the State Department or FBI, for example, and
it was recognized that at some point one would need to explore
whether the custodial agency would be willing to loan the
object for an exhibit. It was noted that in certain cases
there are duplicate mockups which are not discernibly
different from the original. Lists are requested for the
meeting two weeks hence.
25X1 S. Action: ?I Iis to visit the satellite museum at
and elsewhere if he can identify
25X1 such as background to getting a line on the kinds of things 25X1
that have been collected. He will turn to Messrs. a
25X1 0 for making such arrangements. will also investi- 25X1
gate whether Security, Training, Logistics, 0 and Medics
have materials which might be of likely interest for such 25X1
museums.
SECRET
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12 June 1972
CIA HISTORICAL MUSEUM
If a CIA Historical Museum is to be established, prompt action
is required to collect significant material before it is discarded. As
each day passes, it becomes clearer that positive steps must be taken
if such intelligence hardware and related items of historical interest
are to be preserved.
As an example consider audio surveillance equipment. When
integrated circuits in the last few years replaced transistorized
equipment which in the late fifties had rendered vacuum tube devices
obsolete, it was only natural that as this evolution took place earlier
equipment was cannibalized or disposed of. While some of the original
audio gear can perhaps still be located, as each month goes by it
becomes more and more difficult to assemble an historical collection
of eavesdropping equipment used or designed by CIA during the past
25 years. If another 10 years is allowed to pass the earliest equip-
ment will certainly have vanished.
Only the establishment of a CIA Historical Museum can lead
to the orderly identification of significant historical items and their
proper preservation. The problem permeates all directorates of
the Agency since candidate material would come from TSD, Cornmo,
NPIC, and perhaps offices which would not immediately come to mind,
such as Medics, Logistics, and even General Counsel.
Security considerations impose constraints which do not
apply to conventional museums. Some unclassified CIA material
could surely be brought together for immediate display in the main
lobby of the Headquarters building where it would be visible to
uncleared visitors. By far the bulk of the items, however, is classified
and these presumably would not be candidates for exhibition for
several or even a great many years. In some instances it would be
difficult to imagine that certain items could ever be displayed to
uncleared personnel, but this fact should not prevent the material
from being identified and preserved for classified exhibitions.
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These peculiar security considerations surrounding
espionage material require a correspondingly unusual organizational
set-up for the Museum. While it would be better to assemble material
in a central location, the sensitive nature of some items might be such
that the directorate wherein they originate may wish to retain custody
of them. In this case, the curator would be responsible for locating
and identifying items which must be preserved and may not be des-
troyed without approval of the Museum.
Less sensitive material could be assembled in a holding area
where the passage of 5, 10, or 50 years could be expected to result
in their gradual declassification. During World War II members of
OSS would have shuddered at the suggestion that their equipment
could ever be openly displayed to the public. While this is not yet
true in all cases, many items such as the crossbow and one-shot
pistol certainly are no longer SECRET. Sabotage techniques used
by OSS have appeared many times in the press, TV, and movies and
the original security classifications certainly no longer need apply.
This question unfortunately is academic since it is highly unlikely
that any of this gear has survived and could be added to the Museum.
With a few exceptions such as the U-2 reconnaissance plane
of the TSD most of the material would not
pose a warehousing problem. It will be necessary, however, to store
the material selected for the Museum so as to avoid deterioration.
In all cases it will be mandatory to catalog and document the items
and establish their provenance.
It would be impossible for the establishment of the Museum
and organization of periodic exhibitions to be handled by an individual
on a part'-time basis. A full-time curator with access to clerical
assistance, Printing Services, maintenance personnel, etc. , is
required. An experienced museum curator or conservator would
find no difficulty in setting up the Agency collection. Since it is
unlikely that such a person is already employed by CIA, it may be
necessary to identify a candidate for the position and detail him or
her to the Smithsonian Institution for several months of familiarization
and training. Alternately, the Smithsonian would no doubt be willing
to furnish a consultant who would, of course, require clearance.
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The curator of the Museum would work closely with the
Curator, Historical Intelligence Collection (HIC), to avoid over-
looking certain materials. It should be decided whether passports,
travel documents, and propaganda material manufactured by TSD
should come under the jurisdiction of the Museum or the HIC. Some
items of importance including perhaps early directives or instructions
received from the White House most certainly should be preserved,
as should photographs or portraits of senior executive personnel.
Candidate material would include captured Soviet equipment
such as audio surveillance devices, photographic gear, or assassi-
nation weapons. Material issued to a CIA agent and returned after a
successful operation is obviously of great interest, as would be his
actual photographs, microdots, or deaddrop concealments. The
list of desiderata is long, but before it can be. drawn up the Museum
must be established to prevent further loss of desirable items.
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INTE? PIA! USE OINII
10 May 1972
STAT
STAT
STAT
MEMORANDUM FOR: Deputy Director for Plans
Deputy Director for Intelligence
Deputy Director for Science & Technology
Deputy Director for Support/
SUBJECT: CIA Intelligence Museum
1. The Executive Director has asked me to take the
leadership in exploring the possibilities in developing a
CIA Intelligence Museum. He has agreed as a first step to
utilize the display cases now in Corridor 1 D of Headquarters
which we would move to Corridor 1 A. For our thinking pur-
poses this settles where it is and the size of the objects.
(The working measurements of a case are 15x58", two of which
have an inside height of 15", and two with an inside height
of 31".) These cases can be locked.
2. Any objects displayed will have to be either de-
classified or declassifiable. We must assume that the un-
cleared public will be seeing these materials, whatever
they may be.
3. Within the above parameters I am inviting the ad-
dressees to give consideration to those objects involved in
an intelligence activity of some importance and general
interest within their purview which might be considered for
the museum.
4. With this introduction, and given some time to
consider the matter, I would like to invite Messrs. Gottlieb,
Lundahl,
and others whom you may suggest,
to meet with the steering group composed of Messrs.
Pforzheimer, 0 and myself for a discussion of the
possibilities for a museum. I propose such a meeting on
1 June at 10:00 a.m. in Room 6 E PO, Headquar,rs Building.
ChairmtLA, kine Arts Commission
STAT
cc: Dr. Gottlieb
Mr. Lundahl
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