Cold War Museum

Update 2003

Over the past five years the Cold War Museum has made great strides in honoring Cold War Veterans and preserving Cold War history. However, the work has just begun and we need to continue our fundraising efforts in order to raise the millions of dollars necessary to build The Cold War Museum and Memorial. I am writing to provide you with a brief update on the Museum’s activities and to ask that you consider making a year-end tax-deductible donation to the Cold War Museum's general fund. A donation to our general fund will allow us to develop architectural plans, conduct a site feasibility study, and prepare for our national fundraising campaign. If you know of any family members, friends, or colleagues that would like to assist with our efforts, please let them know that their support is welcomed.

We are at a critical stage of our development. In January 2003, the Cold War Museum renewed its affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution. As a result we have pledges of support for artifact loans from Smithsonian Air and Space, American History, National Portrait, and US Postal Museum. The Cold War Museum is in negotiations with Fairfax County Park Authority to locate at the former Nike Missile Base in Lorton, Virginia in the near future. We are working with the Fort Meade Museum and the Historical Electronics Museum in Maryland, the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC, the Florida International Museum, and the Leipzig Contemporary History Museum in Germany to temporarily display artifacts from our collection.

Annually the Bulgaria, Estonian, Hungarian, Latvian, Lithuanian, Romanian, and Slovakian Embassies co-host a reception for the Museum. The 2001 reception to commemorate the 10th Anniversary of the end of the Cold War was held at the Embassy of Slovakia. Our most recent reception was held at the Romanian Embassy on December 17, 2002 and generated additional international support. As a result, the Museum has acquired many important Eastern Bloc artifacts, including an East German admiral's uniform, a Checkpoint Charlie sign, a Stasi prison door and bed, and a piece of the "Iron Curtin."

The mobile exhibit on the U-2 Incident, the "Spies of Washington Tour," and our book signing receptions continue to generate interest and support. In March 2002, the mobile exhibit returned from a one-year display at the Florida International Museum in St. Petersburg, Florida and is currently displayed at the EAA Museum in Oshkosh, WI through March 2003. The educational "Spies of Washington Tour" continues to sell out regularly. Our tours now include a stop at the International Spy Museum in Washington, DC. Visit www.spytour.com for more information. Our latest book signing reception took place at the National Archives on September 17, 2002 and featured author John Fahey who wrote, "Licensed to Spy" about his involvement with the United States Military Liaison Mission (USMLM).

As a result of our efforts, in July 2002 the Commonwealth of Virginia allocated a $28,000 matching grant for the Cold War Museum. We are grateful to the Springfield VFW (Post 7327) who in response to our matching grant campaign donated $20,000 to the Museum in August 2002. Our Congressman, the Honorable Tom M. Davis, III (11th Virginia), is working to assist the museum at the Federal level. In March 2003, we were notified that Virginia legislation was passed for the creation of a Cold War Veteran's license plate. $5 from the sale of every plate will be donated to The Cold War Museum.

Please consider making a donation to the Cold War Museum's general fund. Your gift will help us plan for the new year and the new physical location. Tax-deductible contributions and artifact donations to the Museum will ensure that future generations will remember Cold War events and personalities that forever altered our understanding of national security, international relations, and personal sacrifice for one's country. Please help spread the word about the Museum. Together we can make this vision a reality. If you should have any questions or want additional information, please contact:

Francis Gary Powers, Jr. - Founder

The Cold War Museum

P.O. Box 178

Fairfax, VA 22030

P-(703) 273-2381 / F-(703) 273-4903

www.coldwar.org / gpowersjr@coldwar.org