Cold War Museum
Cold War Museum
4.5
Circuits et expériences
Parcourez différents moyens de découvrir cet endroit.
Plein écran
Les revenus influencent le choix des expériences présentées sur cette page : en savoir plus.
La région
Adresse
Contact direct :
Le meilleur dans les environs
Nous classons ces restaurants et attractions en fonction des avis de nos membres par rapport à leur proximité avec cet endroit.
Restaurants
13 dans un rayon de 5 km
Attractions
22 dans un rayon de 10 km
Contribuer
Contrôle des avis
Avant publication, chaque avis passe par notre système de suivi automatisé afin de contrôler s’il correspond à nos critères de publication. Si le système détecte un problème avec un avis, celui-ci est manuellement examiné par notre équipe de spécialistes de contenu, qui contrôle également tous les avis qui nous sont signalés après publication par notre communauté. Les avis sont affichés par ordre chronologique dans tous les classements.
4.5
31 avis
Excellent
23
Très bon
7
Moyen
1
Médiocre
0
Horrible
0
macsterling
Vienna, Virginie1 487 contributions
mai 2024 • En couple
Kind of a hidden gem. This little building just has tons of stuff crammed into it. The staff are also knowledgeable and willing to share their stories and experiences.
Écrit le 11 mai 2024
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Marianne W
Warrenton, Virginie2 contributions
juin 2023
A hidden gem in rural Virginia. The volunteers are a wealth of information. It's a nonprofit and only open on weekends. There's no admission fee but you will want to leave a donation, it's that good.
Écrit le 3 juin 2023
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
harryatkck
Kansas City, KS987 contributions
mai 2022
This museum is small & only open a few hours on weekends. However, most of the items inside you will not find anywhere else. Besides items used by the CIA & US military during the Cold War to monitor the Soviet Union there is an extensive collection of Communist flags. There is also an extensive collection of uniforms worn by Soviet, East German & other communist country military & police. Admission is free & donations are accepted. This is a neat place to visit.
Écrit le 1 juin 2022
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
ITRT
Virginia44 656 contributions
nov. 2020
The Cold War Museum is located in a former storage barn on the grounds of the former Vint Hill Station. The Station was used by the U.S. Army, NSA, and CIA to intercept and interpret codes from the World War II (1944) until the break-up of the Soviet Union (1997). This location was chosen because radio signals could be intercepted easily. The volunteers seemed to be well-versed in explaining the various exhibits including the Cuban Missile Crisis, the Berlin Wall and Airlift, uniforms of United States and foreign military, international flags and listening devices. The museum is on the small size, partially because of the number of exhibits. Covid-19 precautions are also in place. Visitors could probably spend all-day here and not see everything. Interesting place to learn about the Cold War. Admission is free but donations are accepted.
Écrit le 24 novembre 2020
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Anonymous.
1 contribution
juil. 2019 • En famille
It was amazing. My kids and I loved it. We went around with a tour guide first then alone, all the volunteers answered any questions we had. They were all so friendly and kind. The little museum packed in a lot of good knowledge. My son is learning about the Cold War for fun and he thinks it will really help him. We love to help small businesses and this one is worth helping 🙂. The drive is very pretty we saw some horses. I would definitely go back. 👍👍👍
Écrit le 15 août 2019
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
geraldirons
Minnesota38 contributions
avr. 2019 • Entre amis
A very quaint and interesting museum. Located at Vint Hill Farm Station a farm that was converted to a military post in WW2. One of the buildings is now used for this museum. Take the tour in the morning, have lunch at the Covert Cafe next door and then do a wine tasting at the craft winery. Probably not a place for small children.
Écrit le 27 avril 2019
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
InformedTraveller
Northern Virginia196 contributions
mars 2019 • Entre amis
SUMMARY: This is an interesting little museum that can be brought alive by a good guide. It will be of greatest interest to those with limited knowledge of the signals, other technical intelligence-gathering, and reconnaissance side of the Cold War.
As other reviewers say, you should allot a minimum of two hours for a visit, and it is well worth three or even four hours.
Although we enjoyed our visit, our group’s expectations were a bit too high based on the TripAdvisor reviews, and you should perhaps adjust your own expectations accordingly.
POSITIVES: The all-volunteer staff were friendly and helpful.
Some very interesting artifacts of the technical reconnaissance and eavesdropping are on display, mostly in pristine condition.
There are a number of simple but sturdy and stable stools which can easily be carried about; this was a major aid in my personal enjoyment of the museum as my (aging) feet swell if I must stand for long. It would have been even nicer, though, if the staff had pointed these out upon our arrival.
While it is true (as other reviewers remark) that the labeling of many artifacts is not sufficiently informative, most labeling is clear and easy to read. Lighting is generally quite good. I personally probably most enjoyed the artifacts of the 50s and 60s civil defense, which I personally experienced and remember all too well.
NEGATIVES: A first visit really requires joining one of the frequent guided tours, in which the guide or docent (take your pick on the wording) verbally fleshes out the information on the exhibits that the labels do not cover. Nothing wrong with that, in fact potentially an excellent system, but the quality of your experience will depend heavily upon the quality of your guide.
In that, we had a hit and a miss.
The young man who described the meaning of the civil defense artifact and described that system was outstanding, and answered several highly detailed questions accurately and succinctly without hesitation. He was all the more impressive for having acquired his knowledge through extensive research and interviews with his elders, being much too young to have had any first-hand experience.
This session was, however, only about a quarter of the total tour. Unfortunately our main or senior guide turned in a mediocre performance. Firstly, he floundered when departing from topics covered by his own rather limited personal experiences. Secondly, he was flustered by the fact that two of our party were themselves deeply knowledgeable of the Cold War; his “script” was very much intended for those with little or no knowledge, and he struggled when the “script” was interrupted. Thirdly, he had drunk too deeply of the government’s Kool-Aid and was unprepared to discuss or even consider alternate analyses / versions of key operations.
COMMENTS: We came across this museum as a result of reading a recently published book, “Brotherhood Of Spies”, about the U-2 program. While other reviewers have indicated that there is “too much Gary Powers” in the museum, our own finding is that there is too little. We expected much more in the way of both artifacts and stories / personal experiences about the U-2 program. In fact, there is comparatively little about Gary Powers and the U-2 program.
The artefacts are rather a hodge-podge. A number of the ones on the upper floor in particular actually have little to do with the once-hidden side of the Cold War. While this is understandable given the facts that all the artifacts have been contributed and the space is rather cramped, a more thematic organization / presentation would be a big help.
Both previous reviewers and the museum’s web site as of the day we visited were very clear that there is no entrance fee although donations are welcomed. During our actual visit this position was not as clear. The staff made numerous comments that the “customary” or “expected” “donation” is $10 a head, and the donation box was explicitly pointed out both on arrival and on departure. We certainly intended to make a donation, and did so. However, first of all $10 is quite excessive for what is offered. This per capita amount would have put our group in the hole by $60. Second, I strongly recommend that the museum either stick to a policy of donations-only, with no specific amount specified or suggested, or change to a policy of fee-based admittance. As to the latter, I have no problem with that as a policy, but I make a friendly and well-intentioned suggestion that there will be few visitors if the fee is as high as $10 per head.
WOULD I RETURN? Actually, yes. I and a couple others of our party did not spend enough time examining the artifacts, in deference to members of our party who did not have the same depth of interest.
WOULD I RECOMMEND TO FRIENDS? Yes, to those who have some interest in the subject.
TIP: Don’t miss the adjacent Covert Café (see separate review).
As other reviewers say, you should allot a minimum of two hours for a visit, and it is well worth three or even four hours.
Although we enjoyed our visit, our group’s expectations were a bit too high based on the TripAdvisor reviews, and you should perhaps adjust your own expectations accordingly.
POSITIVES: The all-volunteer staff were friendly and helpful.
Some very interesting artifacts of the technical reconnaissance and eavesdropping are on display, mostly in pristine condition.
There are a number of simple but sturdy and stable stools which can easily be carried about; this was a major aid in my personal enjoyment of the museum as my (aging) feet swell if I must stand for long. It would have been even nicer, though, if the staff had pointed these out upon our arrival.
While it is true (as other reviewers remark) that the labeling of many artifacts is not sufficiently informative, most labeling is clear and easy to read. Lighting is generally quite good. I personally probably most enjoyed the artifacts of the 50s and 60s civil defense, which I personally experienced and remember all too well.
NEGATIVES: A first visit really requires joining one of the frequent guided tours, in which the guide or docent (take your pick on the wording) verbally fleshes out the information on the exhibits that the labels do not cover. Nothing wrong with that, in fact potentially an excellent system, but the quality of your experience will depend heavily upon the quality of your guide.
In that, we had a hit and a miss.
The young man who described the meaning of the civil defense artifact and described that system was outstanding, and answered several highly detailed questions accurately and succinctly without hesitation. He was all the more impressive for having acquired his knowledge through extensive research and interviews with his elders, being much too young to have had any first-hand experience.
This session was, however, only about a quarter of the total tour. Unfortunately our main or senior guide turned in a mediocre performance. Firstly, he floundered when departing from topics covered by his own rather limited personal experiences. Secondly, he was flustered by the fact that two of our party were themselves deeply knowledgeable of the Cold War; his “script” was very much intended for those with little or no knowledge, and he struggled when the “script” was interrupted. Thirdly, he had drunk too deeply of the government’s Kool-Aid and was unprepared to discuss or even consider alternate analyses / versions of key operations.
COMMENTS: We came across this museum as a result of reading a recently published book, “Brotherhood Of Spies”, about the U-2 program. While other reviewers have indicated that there is “too much Gary Powers” in the museum, our own finding is that there is too little. We expected much more in the way of both artifacts and stories / personal experiences about the U-2 program. In fact, there is comparatively little about Gary Powers and the U-2 program.
The artefacts are rather a hodge-podge. A number of the ones on the upper floor in particular actually have little to do with the once-hidden side of the Cold War. While this is understandable given the facts that all the artifacts have been contributed and the space is rather cramped, a more thematic organization / presentation would be a big help.
Both previous reviewers and the museum’s web site as of the day we visited were very clear that there is no entrance fee although donations are welcomed. During our actual visit this position was not as clear. The staff made numerous comments that the “customary” or “expected” “donation” is $10 a head, and the donation box was explicitly pointed out both on arrival and on departure. We certainly intended to make a donation, and did so. However, first of all $10 is quite excessive for what is offered. This per capita amount would have put our group in the hole by $60. Second, I strongly recommend that the museum either stick to a policy of donations-only, with no specific amount specified or suggested, or change to a policy of fee-based admittance. As to the latter, I have no problem with that as a policy, but I make a friendly and well-intentioned suggestion that there will be few visitors if the fee is as high as $10 per head.
WOULD I RETURN? Actually, yes. I and a couple others of our party did not spend enough time examining the artifacts, in deference to members of our party who did not have the same depth of interest.
WOULD I RECOMMEND TO FRIENDS? Yes, to those who have some interest in the subject.
TIP: Don’t miss the adjacent Covert Café (see separate review).
Écrit le 27 mars 2019
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
fred20155
Gainesville, Virginie26 contributions
sept. 2018 • En solo
Lots of fascinating artifacts in there, from radio equipment to uniforms, etc. It is free and supported by donations and is not well known in the area, I only discovered it by accident taking my dog to the nearby dog park down the road. Well worth an hour or two, the volunteer staff is very friendly and will walk around and explain or answer any questions about the exhibits. Many of the volunteers were involved in the Cold War, some former CIA folks, etc.
Écrit le 29 novembre 2018
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
123presto
Miami, Floride27 contributions
oct. 2018 • En couple
Not sure how I found this place but it was the highlight of our trip to Virginia. Not open except weekends but I emailed Jason and he allowed us to piggyback onto a private tour the next day. We showed up early and were directed to the Covert Cafe where we lunched then joined two female former helicopter pilots for a tour led by John DeParro, a former helicopter pilot himself. The tour was simply amazing. Heavy on U-2 since one of the founders was Francis Gary Powers, jr. but fascinating history of code breaking, photography and Cold War events I had never heard of. Lots of Cold War cameras, books and references. The tour lasted 2 hours and we could have spent another two hours or more studying the displays. We’ll go back. Anyone like us who lived through the Cold War will be fascinated by this museum.
Écrit le 24 octobre 2018
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Jonathan R
Washington, District de Columbia1 104 contributions
août 2018 • En couple
We recently visited this museum for the second time. This museum, which is free to visit, contains a great deal of information on Cold War intelligence and surveillance, including pieces of intelligence-community “hardware” and related photographs, maps, and displays. The quality of curating is, in the best sense, amateur, but the docents are friendly, knowledgeable, and happy to give visitors a look at aspects of Cold War history that won’t be found in most conventional museums.
The Museum also is on the same tract as the Vint Hill listening station, another location in World War II/Cold War history which is memorialized in the nearby Vint Hill Winery buildings. Both are well worth a visit (though the Cold War Museum is open on weekdays only by appointment).
The Museum also is on the same tract as the Vint Hill listening station, another location in World War II/Cold War history which is memorialized in the nearby Vint Hill Winery buildings. Both are well worth a visit (though the Cold War Museum is open on weekdays only by appointment).
Écrit le 6 août 2018
Cet avis est l'opinion subjective d'un membre de Tripadvisor et non l'avis de Tripadvisor LLC. Les avis sont soumis à des vérifications de la part de Tripadvisor.
Aucune question n'a été posée sur cette expérience
Les revenus influencent le choix des expériences présentées sur cette page : en savoir plus.
S'agit-il de votre page Tripadvisor ?
Vous possédez ou gérez cet établissement ? Prenez le contrôle de votre page pour répondre gratuitement aux avis, mettre à jour votre page et bien plus encore.
Prenez le contrôle de votre page