Stop by Hands-on-History to discover more about the important role that spies played during the American Revolution. You can:
- Make a cipher wheel and decode messages at our "Spy School"
- Practice your spy skills by doing a spy-themed scavenger hunt in the Hands-on-History Center
- Learn more about the Culper Spy Ring and how they sent secret messages
- Play a "Spy Bingo Game" with your family and discover more about spies during the American Revolution
Spies in the American Revolution
George Washington relied on information from spies to help him make decisions.
The Culper Gang and others spied on the British and sent the information they collected back to Washington's Headquarters. They used secret codes, invisible ink, and many other methods to send important messages!
Visit Hands-on-History and discover more about the important work done by spies during the American Revolution.
During this program, children can:
- Make and learn to use a cipher wheel to solve secret messages (best for ages 7 and up)
- Practice using spy skills through a scavenger hunt (all ages)
- Learn more about the Culper Spies and the ways that they sent secret messages
Conjectural image of William Lee holding a spyglass.
History-at-Play
Books, 18th-century costumes, a Mount Vernon dollhouse, and more are available in the Hands-on-History Center.