National Museum of Crime and Punishment – Washington, D.C. - Atlas Obscura
Places near me Random place
National Museum of Crime and Punishment is permanently closed.

National Museum of Crime and Punishment

Washington, D.C.

America's Most Wanted's set resides in this tribute to the history of crime and punishment. 

View all photos
America's Most Wanted studio Anosmia on Flickr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
America's Most Wanted studio Anosmia on Flickr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
The CSI lab Marcin Wichary on Flickr (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)
Guillotine Kristin Dunlop
Wanted poster Kristin Dunlop
Execution of Mary Surratt Kristin Dunlop
Bonnie & Clyde 1967 Movie Death Car Kristin Dunlop
478
694
Top Places in Washington, D.C.
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument
Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument
Washington, D.C.
House of the Temple
Washington, D.C.
Starship Enterprise NCC-1701
Washington, D.C.
 See All

The National Museum of Crime and Punishment was started by attorney John Morgan who, on a visit to Alcatraz Island, realized that the country did not have a comprehensive facility that could both examine the history of crime and honor the law enforcement professionals who try to keep it off the streets. The sprawling facility features hundreds of interactive elements and displays which allow visitors to try their hand at everything from working in a high-tech CSI lab to practicing shooting in a fake FBI shooting range. Their are also exhibits highlighting the history of famous ne’er-do-wells such as pirates, mobsters, and serial killers. 

In addition to the one-of-a-kind interactive educational experience, the National Museum of Crime and Punishment houses the working set of the television show America’s Most Wanted. Morgan worked with host John Walsh to create the set and the museum also features a display relating Walsh’s personal history. Visitors can even have their children fingerprinted during the experience, although this could lead to the kids being included in a future display if they choose a life of crime.

television lost wonders crime and punishment collections museums and collections museums
Nearby
Daguerre Monument
0.05 miles
Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum
0.06 miles
The Old Patent Model Museum
0.11 miles
Want to see fewer ads? Become a Member.
Near This Place
Washington, D.C.

Daguerre Monument

Go take a picture with the inventor of the daguerreotype photographic process.
Clara Barton's Missing Soldiers Office.
Washington, D.C.

Clara Barton Missing Soldiers Office Museum

Before founding the American Red Cross, Clara Barton had a tremendous humanitarian impact by locating thousands of missing soldiers.
Inside the old model museum
Washington, D.C.

The Old Patent Model Museum

During the Industrial Revolution this “Temple of Invention” was full of intricate miniature machines and gadgets.
Washington, D.C.

The Preamble in License Plates

The preamble to the U.S. Constitution written entirely from vanity license plates hangs in the Smithsonian museum.
Related Places
Boulder City, Nevada

Tom Devlin’s Monster Museum

A professional special effects makeup artist’s collection of horror creatures and one-of-a-kind recreations on display in downtown Boulder City.
Table radio display
Windsor, Connecticut

Vintage Radio and Communications Museum

More than a century of radio history is told in these displays.
The KGB Museum.
Tallinn, Estonia

KGB Museum

"There's nothing there," and other lies the KGB told us.
Sam the Prisoner.
Folsom, California

Folsom Prison Museum

This museum looks at the history of one of America's most famous prisons and most beloved albums.
In partnership with KAYAK

Plan Your Trip

From Around the Web