Name: Smithsonian reopening after government shutdown
Uploaded: 2025-11-15T04:24:18.636Z
Duration: 2 min 47 s
Description: The Smithsonian is starting to reopen all its facilities after the end of the federal government shutdown.

The Smithsonian is starting to reopen all its facilities after the end of the federal government shutdown.

Washington

Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo in Washington, DC, have reopened after being closed for over a month during a government shutdown. Staff have returned to work, although many experienced financial hardship and some took other jobs during the closure, leading to a transition period as operations resume. 

Visitors are now able to access major attractions such as the National Air and Space Museum, with timed passes available online. The Smithsonian experienced significant financial losses from the closure, particularly from non-appropriated sources like gift shops and restaurants. Additional museums are reopening on a rolling basis, with some food services still limited.

Smithsonian reopening after government shutdown

And on top of federal workers and contractors returning to work, some of D.C.'s top tourist attractions are once again reopening their doors. Fox 9's Bob Barnard at the National Air and Space Museum with more tonight. Hi, Bob. Hey there, Marina and Jim. Life is coming back to the National Mall and to the Smithsonian institutions. Here on the second floor, I want to show you one of the star attractions here. Of course, the Spirit of St. Louis, Charles Lindbergh's aircraft. Now, this museum and all other Smithsonian attractions, including the National Zoo, had been closed for more than a month. They are opening up again. Here now is Christopher Brown. He's the director of air and space. Well, fortunately, our folks have come back, but they've many of them, of course, as you know, to have suffered hardship by not receiving pay. They've taken other jobs. And so there's a transition period for a lot of folks. But we were able to get started and get back to work within 48 hours. Now, the doors opened here at air and space this morning at 10 o'clock, they're closing shortly at 530. There has been a steady stream of visitors here all day. These are guests who went online to get free timed passes. That's how it works here. Rarely sold out. But the Smithsonian is expecting a busy holiday season ahead. They have also taken a hit financially. More than half of the Smithsonian's funding comes from what are called non-appropriated sources. So without the gift shops, the restaurant, the IMAX theater, they've lost important revenue. So there's some catching up there to do as well. Speaking to visitors today, they tell us they are glad the shutdown is over. It's amazing. It's just amazing. It's my first time to be here. Like I never imagined all these things. I was on business trip, but I will be coming back to Mexico tomorrow. But I had a chance to be here. Good timing. Yes, yes. Perfect time. So we didn't even know this place was going to be open until yesterday. So actually this morning. So we said, oh, OK, like we want to go to the zoo. But when we saw this was open, we said, Kenai, do you want to go to this? And he said, yes. So I'm so excited. This is great. Now, let's show you a list of what is open today. Air and Space Udvar-Hazy that's out near Dulles Airport in the Museum of American History here on the National Mall. Now, opening tomorrow will be the Museum of African-American History and Culture, the National Zoo and the Natural History Museum. All others will be reopening by Monday, we're told, on a rolling basis. And we're told food service offerings may be limited at first. Smithsonian late today saying they're going to have a good number of the museums that won't open tomorrow that didn't open today. They'll be open on Sunday. And based on the crowds we've seen today, just take a look. I mean, here's some of the things that people have not been able to see for 43 days. This Milestones of Flight Hall, guys, Smithsonian institutions are coming back to life.

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