Smithsonian museums, National Zoo closed amid government shutdown
Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, which receive federal funding, are closing temporarily amid the federal government shutdown.
The shutdown impacts all 21 of the Smithsonian's institutions, such as its Air and Space Museum and the National History Museum in Washington, D.C., as well as its nine research centers and museums outside of Washington, D.C., including in Virginia and New York City, the organization announced in a social media post.
"We will update our operating status as soon as the situation is resolved," The Smithsonian said in its announcement. "We do not plan to update social media other than to inform you of changes to our operating status."
Although physical Smithsonian facilities remain closed, the research institution's digital resources are available on its various websites.
The Smithsonian previously said it would use available funding to keep museums, centers and the zoo open after the government shutdown until at least Oct. 6.
"In the event of a government shutdown, our museums, research centers, and the National Zoo will remain open through at least Monday, Oct. 6. The Smithsonian will use prior-year funds still available to us to remain open," the institution said in a Sept. 30 post.
Smithsonian institutions are just some of the major tourist attractions impacted by the government shutdown. The U.S. Capitol Visitor Center, the National Gallery of Art and others that receive federal funding are closed until further notice.
Some national parks are accessible but some operations are unavailable or have limited services, such as the processing of transactions.
During the last government shutdown from December 2018 until January 2019, which lasted 35 days, the Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo were closed from Jan. 2, 2019, until Jan. 29, 2019.
