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Message From General Keith Alexander, USA
Director, National Security Agency/Central Security Service
Commander, U.S. Cyber Command

April 26, 2011

                                                                                                                                                                          To keep our nation secure from increasingly complex threats, the National Security Agency (NSA) must continue to cultivate the cryptologic profession and motivate future generations of mathematicians, engineers, computer scientists and linguists. The National Cryptologic Museum does just that. First opened to the public in 1993, the museum has evolved from a one-room display area into one of the Agency’s principal gateways to the public. Now a multi-gallery facility displaying more than fifty exhibits, the museum has exposed hundreds of thousands of visitors to the exciting and complex world of cryptology.

The National Cryptologic Museum Foundation (NCMF) has partnered with NSA since 1996 to improve and expand the museum’s capabilities and outreach. Despite the extreme limitations presented by operating within a small building originally constructed more than four decades ago for a different purpose, the museum has succeeded in its outreach mission. Yet many amazing cryptologic stories remain untold due to limited space. Protection of our priceless collection from theft is also modest at best. These problems must be addressed.

NSA and the NCMF are committed to creating a truly world-class National Cryptologic Museum -- one that continues to celebrate cryptologic heroes and the technologies of their trades but within the spacious, high-tech environment of a new state-of-the-art facility. This vision includes:

          An expanded exhibit area for multimedia presentations and interactive displays;

          Classroom space to accommodate greatly expanded educational outreach programs;

          A state-of-the-art auditorium for lectures and special events; and

          An environmentally controlled library to house and display the entire collection of rare books and documents.

Once completed, the new museum will be gifted to NSA through proper channels, and NSA will assume the costs of operations and maintenance. The NCMF and NSA are working together in accordance with a memorandum of understanding that emphasizes the alliance within which each will work to realize the full potential of this shared vision. This initiative has my full support.

Message from Lt. General Kenneth A. Minihan, USAF (Ret)
Chairman, New Museum Founders’ Group
Former Director, National Security Agency/Central Security Service

April 1, 2011

                                                                                                                                                                       We are engaged in a vital, new public enterprise. Our mission is to build and equip an iconic Museum & Conference Center dedicated to explaining the vital role cryptology, signals intelligence and cyber security play in defending our nation. It is a personal honor to help lead the rapidly emerging public-private partnership between the National Security Agency and the National Cryptologic Museum Foundation that will seek to make this mission a reality.

The planned state-of-the-art facility will lift the veil of secrecy surrounding the extraordinary work of the NSA. It is expected to be come a focal point in the National Capital region for information dissemination, policy discussion and education. Among the project’s goals:

•   To EDUCATE the public on the role of cryptology, signals intelligence and cyber security in our nation's defense

•   To STIMULATE visitor understanding of how mathematics, computer sciences, engineering, technology and foreign languages are integrated in the NSA's work.

•    To COMMEMORATE the extraordinary accomplishments, contributions and sacrifices of the NSA community and the people who have served within it.

•    To interest and attract young people to consider careers in the intelligence field.

To raise the required construction funds, we have begun to organize a building campaign initially seeking roughly $30 million from corporations, individuals and foundations. This campaign is to be led by a “Founders’ Group” consisting of distinguished and committed leaders from the corporate and philanthropic community -- people who share and support the visionary goals of the project and wish to help make it a reality. Please join with us in making this vision a reality.               

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