The Smithsonian Institute announced on Saturday that its museums will close starting Sunday due to the ongoing government funding lapse.
“With the government shutdown in effect, Smithsonian museums, research centers, and the National Zoo will be closed from Sunday, Oct. 12,” the organization stated on the social media platform X. “We will provide updates on our operating status once the situation is resolved.”
“Our social media channels will primarily be used to communicate any changes in our operational status,” the post continues. “However, Smithsonian digital resources will still be accessible online during the closure.”
The National Zoo posted a similar message, prompting questions from users on how the animals would be taken care of during the shutdown.
The official statement reassured, “Rest assured, all animals at the Zoo and at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, will continue to receive care and feeding. The shutdown will not impact our dedication to staff safety or the high standards of animal care.”
A significant 62 percent of the Smithsonian’s budget comes from federal funding. Although the shutdown commenced on Oct. 1, the institution had enough reserves to remain operational until Oct. 11.
The organization manages 17 museums and the National Zoo in Washington, two museums in New York City, and eight research centers, including an astrophysical observatory at Harvard University and a marine station in Fort Pierce, Florida.
With senators unable to breach the impasse in the latest round of votes to reopen the government, the lapse in federal funding is expected to continue into next week. All tours at the U.S. Capitol, White House, FBI headquarters, the Supreme Court, the Library of Congress and the U.S. Botanic Garden have already been suspended.
The closure of museums comes as the Smithsonian faces increased scrutiny from the Trump administration over some of its educational exhibits.
The White House launched a review of the institute to ensure “alignment” with President Trump’s vision, after the president accused the museums of being too “woke” and focusing too much on “how bad slavery was” in the U.S. At least 20 exhibits have been labeled as questionable by the administration.
Several federal agencies are also facing reductions in force as the shutdown stretches into next week.
