![The Boeing Aviation Hangar at the Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia. [Credit: National Aviation and Space Museum]](https://flyingmag1.b-cdn.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/2/2025/09/4105h-X.jpg?width=1137&height=550)
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.
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The Smithsonian has multiple facilities, all of which were shut down as a result of the government closure.
The closure temporarily put the NASM redesign on hold. The project began in 2018 and includes a revision of all 20 galleries and a modernization of the museum’s infrastructure, such as the mechanical system. Before the shutdown, officials noted the redesign was scheduled to be complete by July, which marks the 50th anniversary of the museum.
FLYING reached out to museum officials to ask what, if any, impact the 43-day government closure had on the project and renovation schedule and were told that it will take some time to make that determination.
