Fredericksburg Parent

8 Fredericksburg Parent and Family • June 2025 At the site of a former military spy base in Fauquier County sits a museum that stands as a tes- tament to one of the most tension-filled periods in modern history. The Cold War Museum, a nonprofit organization founded by Francis Gary Powers Jr.—son of famed U-2 spy plane pilot Francis Gary Powers—serves as a repository of memories from an era that shaped global politics for decades. Powers Sr. was a U.S. Air Force pilot recruited by the CIA to fly U-2 spy planes during the Cold War. On May 1, 1960, while on a mission over the Soviet Union, his plane was shot down and he was captured, drawing international attention. He was sentenced to 10 years in a Soviet prison but was released after 21 months in a spy exchange, an event later depicted in the film Bridge of Spies. Gary Powers Jr., a Richmond resident, began his mission of preserving Cold War history in 1996 after realizing that many younger generations knew little about the period of U.S.-Soviet tensions from 1947 until the Soviet Union dissolved in 1991. "Nine times out of 10, I would walk into a classroom, I would get blank stares—even AP history classes. The students did not know what the Cold War was, even though it had just ended a few years prior," Powers told InsideNoVa. That educational gap became the catalyst for creating a museum dedicated to preserving and sharing Cold War history. Located at 7172 Lineweaver Road in Vint Hill, the museum opened on Veterans Day in 2011. It houses a diverse collection of artifacts that tell the story of the Cold War, including military uniforms, spy satellite equipment, communication intercept devices, fragments of the Berlin Wall, and personal items related to key events like the U-2 incident. The museum also features exhibits on intelligence agencies, reconnaissance platforms and civil defense, painting a broader picture of the era's espionage and political intrigue. But Powers says the museum's true value goes beyond its physical collection. Through a monthly lecture series, community outreach and school programs, it provides historical context and emphasizes the Cold War's lasting impact. "If you look at history, history is not rigid—it is fluid," he said. "World War I leads into World War II, which leads into the Cold War, which leads into the war on terror, etc. So in order to understand the world we live in today, you have to look at the Cold War." Visitors can explore the museum on weekends, with additional weekday tours available for school groups. For more information, visit coldwar.org, or contact the museum directly. Plan Your Visit to the COLD WAR MUSEUM Family Tips for Visiting: • Perfect for upper elementary and middle schoolers interested in spy gear, secret missions and history with real-world intrigue. • Hands-on artifacts and stories make his- tory come alive—ideal for curious kids and teens. • Make it a day trip: Nearby Vint Hill Farms Station has parks, trails and a win- ery (for the grown-ups after your Cold War adventure). • Watch the movie first! Consider watch- ing Bridge of Spies (PG-13) with older kids to spark interest in the story of Gary Powers. LOCATION: Cold War Museum 7172 Lineweaver Road Vint Hill, VA 20187 HOURS: Open Saturdays and Sundays 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Weekday tours available for school and homeschool groups by appointment. ADMISSION: Adults: $10 Seniors/Military: $7 Students: $5 Children under 6: Free www.coldwar.org • (540) 341-2008 Spy Planes and Spy Planes and Secret Missions Secret Missions WRITTEN BY CAMERON DELEAN unique & local This article was republished with permission from FXBG Advance's news partner InsideNoVa.com. Sign up for InsideNoVa.com's free email subscription today. Exploring the Cold War Museum With Your Kids

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