PEEK BEHIND THE VEIL OF SECRECY IN THE WEST COAST PREMIERE OF “SPY: THE SECRET WORLD OF ESPIONAGE” AT THE RONALD REAGAN PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM OCTOBER 30, 2013 – MARCH 9, 2014

Making its West Coast premiere at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, SPY: The Secret World of Espionage is an unprecedented 12,000 square foot exhibition created through a collaboration between the CIA, FBI, the National Reconnaissance Office, the Foreign Excellent Trenchcoat Society and BASE Exhibitions.

SPY gives you the rare opportunity to peek behind a veil of secrecy into the world of espionage and undercover operations.  The nearly 300 spy gadgets and documents on display – many of which have never before been seen outside of classified circles – or even known – reveal an unseen picture of the mysterious world of espionage. SPY parts the veil, inviting visitors into a secret world of patriots, spies, moles, traitors, and spy catchers: a world with heroes and villains, whose actions helped shape the world we live in today.

“Visitors to the Reagan Library will be thrilled as they learn what it means to be an American serving the cause of freedom in a dangerous and difficult world,” said John Heubusch, executive director of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation. “From rare and fascinating spy artifacts to Hollywood props from James Bond films to entertaining interactive displays, this exhibit is sure to be a crowd-pleaser for visitors of all ages.”

Check out how a simple coin has been loaded with a tiny poisonous needle meant to be used as a suicide device; or how an insect-sized robotic dragonfly, called an insectothopter, was designed to gather intelligence from the air as the world’s first miniaturized unmanned aerial vehicle; or what a fake movie script looks like that was created in order to rescue diplomats from Iran and inspired the movie ARGO.  Take a look at the actual cockpit from one of the world's nine remaining A-12 Oxcart spy planes. View objects like a KGB poison pellet-firing umbrella to spy cameras, tear-gas pens, shoes with hidden compartments, and even a hollow molar the East German secret police created to conceal a microdot in a spy's mouth.  The variety of fascinating declassified items will intoxicate every visitor.

In SPY, family-friendly interactive exhibits offer a first-hand taste of how the secret world of espionage is conducted. Explore beyond what you think you know about spies from movies and novels with thrilling on-the-spot training for future spies of all ages, including interactive modules to learn secret writing, disguise, and voice changing. Test out your skills at being a super spy by navigating through the perilous complexities of an actual laser field. Create your own disguise and alter your voice – dare your friends and family to recognize you!

“James Bond wouldn't last four minutes in the real world of espionage,” joked H. Keith Melton, Founding member of the International Spy Museum and lender of many items on display in the SPY exhibit at the Reagan Library.  To prove his point, the Reagan Library has curated an additional gallery, showcasing props, costumes, weapons and more from the Bond film franchise.  Costumes that will be on display for the duration of the SPY exhibit include Daniel Craig's tuxedo from Quantum of Solace, Eva Green's evening gown from Casino Royale, Halle Berry's leather bodysuit from Die Another Day, Pierce Brosnan's stealth suit from Tomorrow Never Dies, and Roger Moore's spacesuit from Moonraker.

The Reagan Library is located at 40 Presidential Drive in Simi Valley.  Public hours are from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.  The Museum is only closed on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Day and New Years Day.  For Museum Admission fees, please visit www.reaganlibrary.com.  Museum exhibit tickets may be pre-purchased at www.reaganlibrary.com/tickets.  For more information, call (800) 410.8354 or visit www.reaganlibrary.com/spies.