People Museum Unusual Secret International Find Study National

There are many unusual museums in the United States, but most of them are "quite" (very) small. However, there are a few that are large and "delve into" (explore the depths of) unusual topics. For example, consider these museums that focus on "cryptology" (the study of codes and code-breaking) and "espionage" (the practice of spying to obtain secret information, especially from another country's government).

The National Security Administration, or NSA, is "affiliated" (connected; associated) with the National Cryptologic Museum in Maryland. It opened in 1993 and has about 50,000 visitors each year. At the museum, people can learn about the development of increasingly complex "codes" (a system of letters, numbers, and symbols used to represent something else, often used to send secret communications) and code-breaking technologies that have been important for international espionage.

In Washington, DC, people can visit the International Spy Museum, which opened in 2002. The museum "presents" (shows) many artifacts related to espionage, such as "gadgets" (devices) with secret "compartments" (openings or storage areas), such as glasses with cameras, or "canes" (sticks that help injured people walk) with the ability to shoot a bullet. The museum also has a program called "Spy in the City," which gives people a "navigational device" (a tool that helps people find their way) and "clues" (partial ideas to help someone find or understand something) to find a "password" (secret word or phrase used to gain access or admission).

Finally, you may be interested in visiting the International Cryptozoology Museum in Maine. "Cryptozoology" refers to the study of hidden animals, especially those that most people would consider to be "mythological" (related to stories and legends, but not real). The museum provides information about "Bigfoot" (a large, ape-like creature thought to live in the forests of the Pacific Northwest), the Loch Ness Monster (a large, dinosaur-like creature thought to live in a lake in Scotland), and "mermaids" (creatures that are half human, half fish), among other "creatures" (animals; living beings).