J. Edgar Hoover Museum holds the legacy of a legendary law enforcement figure for research and learning.
The J Edgar Hoover Museum in Washington DC
J Edgar Hoover’s fascination as a legend, an enigma and a symbol of law enforcement continues 38 years after his death. The National Law Enforcement Museum in Washington DC has secured a deeded collection of photographs, awards, correspondence and recordings from the Hoover Foundation.
Hoover’s image was carefully spun, and he was highly effective in the ways he constructed the FBI and his public persona.
History
Hoover took control of what was then known as the Bureau of Investigation in 1924 and continued to serve as director until his death in 1972. Under his direction, the FBI was professionalized and developed new techniques in police work. He consolidated and modernized centralized fingerprint cataloging, established police training facilities and boosted a centralized criminal intelligence center.
During the 1930s, Hoover’s agents helped round up gangsters like John Dillinger, Machine Gun Kelly and Pretty Boy Floyd. His campaign against organized crime led to the formation of “Hoover’s Ten Most Wanted” list and sparked public involvement in law enforcement.
He also maintained voluminous secret files on politicians and members of the Kennedy political dynasty, even when this snooping crossed into legally questionable or outright illegal activities. Despite his controversial and sometimes polarizing public persona, Hoover was widely recognized for his successes in policing. He helped to professionalize federal law enforcement and built a massive national database of criminals.
Exhibits
The Museum’s collections are showcased in the entry rotunda and two galleries at the front of Hoover Tower. Our long term exhibitions change twice a year and our special exhibitions open a few times a year.
When J Edgar Hoover became director of the Bureau of Investigation in 1924, he immediately overhauled the organization and set professional standards. He maintained his position when the bureau was renamed the Federal Bureau of Investigation in 1935 and remained director until his death.
This new exhibit explores how the FBI has changed over the years through technology, a mock crime lab and artifacts from famous investigations ranging from Al Capone to the 9/11 terrorist attacks. Visitors can also reevaluate what they think they know about the FBI from popular culture as they see posters and costumes from the hit TV shows Bones, The Americans and X-Files.
Tours
In the museum’s permanent galleries, a 22-minute film and artifacts trace Hoover’s life from his orphan beginnings in West Branch and Oregon to his days as an engineer and commerce secretary, America’s 31st president, and world-renowned humanitarian. A rotunda area displays 57 brass sheaves of wheat – one for every country Hoover fed the hungry during his career.
The FBI Building was named for Hoover after the Bureau moved into it from the Department of Justice in 1975. While the official FBI tour is closed to the public (and safety netting encloses a deteriorating facade), the museum offers tours through its education center, which educates visitors about the work of today’s Bureau.
The National Law Enforcement Museum also has an exhibit that explores the role of presidential assassinations in shaping federal law enforcement. The museum also features a collection of sheriff’s writs dating back to 1703 and handcuffs and nightsticks from historic cases. The museum also offers a special tour on the September 11 attacks and other high-profile events.
Gift Shop
The Museum’s gift shop offers a wide selection of items, including presidential souvenirs, unique Iowa gifts, books, Christmas ornaments and FBI memorabilia. The National Law Enforcement Museum also serves as the repository for interview transcripts of the Society of Former Special Agents of the FBI oral history program and other materials related to Director Hoover and his transformation of the bureau into a modern federal law enforcement agency. The museum is the only institution with a significant collection of materials documenting American law enforcement history. The addition of the Hoover materials further strengthens the museum’s role as the go to place for conducting research on the history of the FBI and its founder, J. Edgar Hoover.
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