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 and facilities are reopening, with the National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum, and Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center resuming operations Friday, November 14, and other sites by Monday, November 17.
The federal government closure temporarily halted the National Air and Space Museum's extensive redesign project, which began in 2018 and includes renovating all 20 galleries and modernizing infrastructure.
Museum officials are currently assessing the impact of the 43-day shutdown on the NASM redesign schedule, which was originally planned for completion by July for the museum's 50th anniversary.

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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.

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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.