30 Years After Unabomber's Arrest, FBI Still Has His Cabin — And It Still Stinks

The infamous cabin where Ted Kaczynski planned his deadly bombing campaign remains in FBI custody, a stark reminder of his crimes.

Apr. 5, 2026 at 12:38am

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Even 30 years after the arrest of the Unabomber, Ted Kaczynski, the small, primitive cabin where he lived and built his bombs is still in the possession of the FBI. The 10-by-12-foot cabin has been moved from Montana to various locations, including a decade-long display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. Though the cabin no longer has the distinct odor it once had, it remains a powerful physical relic of Kaczynski's crimes and the FBI's efforts to capture him.

Why it matters

The Unabomber case was a major event in modern American history, and Kaczynski's cabin serves as a tangible connection to that history. The cabin provides insight into how Kaczynski lived as a recluse and planned his deadly bombing campaign, which killed three people and injured dozens more over 17 years. Preserving the cabin also helps illustrate the role the public and media can play in assisting law enforcement in apprehending dangerous criminals.

The details

After Kaczynski's arrest in 1996, the cabin was transported to Malmstrom Air Force Base near Great Falls, Montana, and then shipped to Sacramento, California for his federal trial. Following the trial, the cabin was dismantled and displayed at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. for over a decade before being returned to the FBI in 2020. The cabin is now in storage, with the FBI curator periodically cleaning it to prevent dust and insects. Despite its fragile state, the FBI is committed to preserving the cabin and determining where it will be permanently housed.

  • On April 3, 1996, Ted Kaczynski was arrested in his cabin in Lincoln, Montana.
  • In January 1998, Kaczynski was convicted on all federal charges related to his bombing campaign.
  • The cabin was on display at the Newseum in Washington, D.C. for about a decade before being returned to the FBI in 2020.

The players

Ted Kaczynski

Also known as the Unabomber, Kaczynski was a domestic terrorist who carried out a 17-year bombing campaign that killed three people and injured dozens more. He lived in the small cabin in Lincoln, Montana where he planned and built his bombs.

Jamie Gehring

Gehring grew up next door to Kaczynski's cabin in Lincoln, Montana. As a child, she regularly passed by the cabin and interacted with Kaczynski, whom her family called 'Teddy,' without realizing the extent of his criminal activities.

Butch Gehring

Jamie Gehring's late father, who proved pivotal in the capture of Kaczynski by providing the FBI with video footage and other details about the cabin and property.

Dr. John Fox

The FBI's historian for more than 20 years, who has provided insight into the bureau's preservation of Kaczynski's cabin.

Tom Myers

A retired FBI agent who recalls the significant resources the bureau dedicated to the Unabomber case and apprehending Kaczynski.

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What they’re saying

“Apparently, it was quite smelly for some time. If you really want to stick your nose to the wall, I hear you … Well, you don't.”

— Dr. John Fox, FBI Historian

“The cabin itself is such a unique piece of that story. Here's where the guy lived and worked and built his bombs, and it's where he's arrested. It really tells that story in a unique way that nothing else can.”

— Dr. John Fox, FBI Historian

“Because he was a neighbor, it didn't seem like a big deal. Of course, now looking at it as an adult, the idea of living in a very small, 10-by-12 cabin with no plumbing and no electricity, it's strange.”

— Jamie Gehring

“When we realized Ted's true identity, it was shocking and surreal and terrifying, all at the same time.”

— Jamie Gehring

What’s next

The FBI is committed to preserving Kaczynski's cabin and determining where it will be permanently housed, as the fragile structure is not likely to be moved again anytime soon.

The takeaway

Kaczynski's cabin serves as a stark physical reminder of the Unabomber's crimes and the FBI's efforts to capture him, providing valuable insight into his life as a recluse and the broader implications of his case. The cabin's preservation underscores the importance of preserving historical artifacts, even those associated with tragic events, to better understand the past and prevent similar tragedies in the future.