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 museums are reopening their doors starting Friday, November 14, after the federal government shutdown ended.
Major facilities like the National Museum of American History and the National Air and Space Museum will reopen first, with all other museums and the National Zoo to follow by Monday, November 17.
The government closure temporarily paused the National Air and Space Museum's ongoing redesign project, which began in 2018.
Officials are currently determining the impact of the 43-day shutdown on the NASM redesign's 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.