Historical Society to Host Retired CIA Agent for Talk on Female Spies

WARREN, Pa. – The Warren County Historical Society will host Michael Ganske, a retired CIA counterintelligence officer, to present “Women of Espionage in the Civil War” on March 12, 2024.

The presentation will be held in the Warren County Courthouse’s main courtroom at 6:30 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.

Ganske will explain the tradecraft in use at the time, such as codes, flags, and balloons. He will give special focus to Harriet Tubman. Primarily known for helping enslaved persons escape before the war, Tubman later became a daring spy for the Union.

Cipher disks were a way for spies to code messages. Mr. Ganske will bring this replica of a Confederate cipher disk to his presentation. Photo submitted.

This is Ganske’s second foray to Warren to talk about historical espionage. An Army veteran, he is a recipient of the Career Intelligence Medal for his 20-plus years of service in the CIA. He is a founder of Silver Eagle Consulting LLC and a lecturer for universities and civic groups. He lives in Clymer, NY, with his family.

For more information, visit warrenhistory.org.