Smithsonian Museums and National Zoo Close as Shutdown Enters Third Week

October 13, 2025

The Smithsonian Institution has closed its 21 museums, the National Zoo, and 14 research centers after exhausting reserve funds during the federal government shutdown that has entered its third week. Visitors to Washington D.C. have encountered locked doors and closure notices at popular destinations including the Museum of Natural History and the National Zoo, disappointing tourists who traveled specifically to see these cultural landmarks. The Smithsonian, which depends on Congress for approximately 53% of its $1.

Who is affected

Tourists and Washington D.C. residents seeking to visit museums and the National Zoo
Families with specific travel plans to visit Smithsonian institutions
The animals at the National Zoo (though they continue to be cared for)
Approximately 1.4 million federal employees who are furloughed or working without pay
Thousands of workers who have received layoff notices

What action is being taken

The Smithsonian Institution is keeping all 21 museums, the National Zoo, and 14 research centers closed
Zoo staff continue to feed and care for animals despite the closure
The Smithsonian is conducting its own internal review of programming rather than complying with White House demands regarding diversity initiatives

Why it matters

The closures block access to some of the nation's most treasured cultural landmarks
Millions of annual visitors cannot access educational and cultural resources
The situation highlights political tensions between the Smithsonian and the Trump administration over diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives
The shutdown demonstrates the vulnerability of publicly funded cultural institutions to political impasses
Federal employees face economic hardship through furloughs and unpaid work

What's next

No explicit next steps stated in the article

Read full article from source: The Washington Informer