“The World’s Preeminent Collection of SPY Artifacts” – with Laura Hicken and Lauren VonBechmann
Summary
Laura Hicken (LinkedIn) and Lauren vonBechmann (LinkedIn) join Andrew (X; LinkedIn) to discuss the collection of the International Spy Museum. SPY’s collection consists of 10,000 espionage-related artifacts.
What You’ll Learn
Intelligence
- The ins and outs of getting into the museum field
- Why Museums?
- SPYs largest, smallest, and coolest artifacts
- The challenges of being a “spy” museum
Reflections
- Following your passions
- A dedication to lifelong learning and teaching
And much, much more …
Episode Notes
This week, Andrew was joined in the studio by two of our SPY family members, Laura Hicken and Lauren vonBechmann. Laura, our Collections Manager and Registrar, and Lauren, the Manager of Exhibitions, are two members of our talented Exhibitions and Collections team here at the International Spy Museum.
Together with the rest of the team, they are responsible for keeping our priceless 10,000 artifacts safe and sound each day. In addition to this responsibility, the team is tasked with utilizing and interpreting these historical objects in creative exhibitions that help the public better understand the world of intelligence and espionage. Learn how they do it and more about the passion behind their work in this week’s episode!
And…
Laura and Lauren’s most recent project with the Exhibitions team was our first-ever special exhibit, Bond In Motion. It’s only here through April of 2025, so make sure you see their hard work before it leaves! And, if you’ve recently cleaned out your attic and found some funky artifacts, feel free to let Lauren and Laura know what you’ve got through this link.
Quotes of the Week
“It's that ability to give accessibility to our audiences so that they can see like parts of history – So it's not only to preserve it, but it's so that people can see it as well. That's what we want to provide – A place for people to see the unseen.” – Lauren vonBechmann.
Resources
SURFACE SKIM
*SpyCasts*
- The James Bond Collector with Mike VanBlaricum (2024)
- The Most Famous Art Detective in the World with ex-FBI Legend Robert Wittman (2023)
- Secrets Revealed – Curators Alexis and Andrew on SPY’s Pop-Up Exhibit (2023)
- SPY@20 – “The Spy of the Century” – Curators Alexis and Andrew on Kim Philby (2022)
*Beginner Resources*
- A look at the International Spy Museum in Washington D.C., FOX 5 Washington DC, YouTube (2023) [5 min. video]
- About the Collection, International Spy Museum (n.d.) [Short article]
- Collections Management, American Alliance of Museums (n.d.) [Short article]
DEEPER DIVE
Books
- The Value of Museums: Enhancing Societal Well-Being, J. H. Falk (Rowman & Littlefield, 2021)
- Creating Exhibitions: Collaboration in the Planning, Development, and Design of Innovative Experiences, P. McKenna-Cress & J. Kamien (Wiley, 2013)
- Ultimate Spy, H. K. Melton (DK, 2002)
Articles
- Reimagined Spy Exhibit, Cortina Productions (2024)
- There’s a new star at the International Spy Museum: Bond. James Bond., F. Hahn, The Washington Post (2024)
- Why We Need Museums Now More Than Ever — The Importance of Museums, R. Carlsson, MuseumNext (2023)
- Making the case for the value of museum experiences, J. H. Falk, Museum Management and Curatorship (2022)
- No Country for Old Dolls? A. Sage, Victoria & Albert Museum (2014)
- Early Learning in Museums: A Review of Literature, M. E. Munley, Smithsonian Institution Early Enrichment Center (2012)
Video
- Spy Collection Highlights - Bloodstained Ice Axe Used to Kill Leon Trotsky, International Spy Museum, YouTube (2020)
- Former CIA Chief of Disguise Breaks Down Cold War Spy Gadgets, WIRED, YouTube (2020)
Artifacts
- James Bond's Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Watch (2021)
- Primo’s Bionic Eye (2021)
- Clock with Concealed Receiver (1970s)
- Disguise Kit (1960s)
- Berlin Tunnel Segment (1954-1956)
- Four Rotor Enigma Machine (1943-1944)
- Sleeping Beauty Submersible (1943)
- George Washington Spy Letters (1777)
*Wildcard Resource*
- Here’s something many don’t know about the International Spy Museum:
