Smithsonian Museums Reopening After Government Shutdown

National Air and Space officials say they still need to assess the impact of the 43-day closure on their massive 2026 redesign project.

Meg Godlewski

Thursday, November 13, 2025 at 03:00 PM ET

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Edited By:

Ryan Ewing

The Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. [Credit: National Aviation and Space Museum]

Key Takeaways:

The Smithsonian Institution will begin reopening its facilities on Friday, November 14, following the end of the federal government shutdown.
Key museums, including the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum, will open Friday, with other Smithsonian institutions and the National Zoo reopening by Monday, November 17.
The 43-day government closure temporarily halted the National Air and Space Museum's ongoing redesign project, and officials are still assessing the impact on its completion schedule.

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The reopening of the federal government means the Smithsonian can now reopen its doors, starting Friday.

According to a statement from the institution, the National Museum of American History, the National Air and Space Museum (NASM), and the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center will reopen Friday, November 14. The other museums, research centers, and the National Zoo will reopen on a rolling basis by Monday, November 17.