FBI Tour 1937-2002 65th anniversary lapel pin

History of the Tour

The FBI tour became the public face of the FBI in 1937, when FBI Headquarters was located in the Department of Justice building in Washington, D.C. After the J. Edgar Hoover FBI Building opened in 1975, the tour quickly became a highlight for visitors to the nation’s capital. However, due to security concerns following the events of September 11, 2001, the tour was closed.

Repurposing artifacts and information from the old tour, the FBI opened the Education Center in 2008 to provide an opportunity for new employees and law enforcement partners to learn more about the Bureau and its work. In 2014, the FBI launched a pilot program that opened the Education Center to the public. This allowed the Bureau the opportunity to tell its story—including its history, capabilities, and ideas for the future—to a wider audience.

The Education Center closed in 2016 so the FBI could make way for a new, revitalized tour that explores the FBI and its mission to protect the American people and uphold the Constitution of the United States. The FBI Experience opened its doors to the American people on July 10, 2017 and has quickly become a popular site for visitors to Washington, D.C.