(The Hill) — The Smithsonian Institute announced Saturday that its museums will be closed starting Sunday as the lapse in government funding persists.
“Due to the government shutdown, Smithsonian museums are temporarily closed beginning on Sunday, Oct. 12, along with our research centers and the National Zoo,” the organization wrote on the social platform X. “We will update our operating status as soon as the situation is resolved.”
“We do not plan to update social media other than to inform you of changes to our operating status,” the post continues. “While our doors are closed, Smithsonian digital resources continue to be available at http://si.edu.”
The National Zoo posted a similar message, prompting questions from users on how the animals would be taken care of during the shutdown.
“All the animals at the Zoo and at the Smithsonian Conservation Biology Institute in Front Royal, Virginia, will continue to be fed and cared for,” Smithsonian officials responded. “A shutdown will not affect our commitment to the safety of our staff and standard of excellence in animal care.
A majority, 62 percent, of the Smithsonian’s budget is allocated from the federal government. While the shutdown began on Oct. 1., the institution said it had enough funding to keep its facilities open until Oct. 11.
The organization operates 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, Fla.
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.
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