URGENT: Museums Reopen to the Public After Prolonged Closure

Breaking News: Museums Reopen to the Public After Prolonged Closure The Smithsonian museums, National Gallery of Art, and other federally funded sites have reopened to the public, ending a prolonged closure due to the government shutdown. As of today, November 13, 2025, visitors are once again welcome to these cultural institutions. The immediate impact of the reopening is being felt across the nation's capital, with staff returning to work and programs resuming. The financial toll of the shutdown, however, is still being calculated, but past closures have resulted in significant losses, including a $5 billion loss during the 2018-2019 shutdown. The Smithsonian museums alone suffered a $3.4 million loss in revenue from gift shops, concessions, and IMAX film screenings. The National Gallery of Art also reported a loss of $334,000 in revenue and 1.2 million in gross revenue due to the 2018-2019 shutdown. The reopening comes as a relief to museum staff, visitors, and the wider community. The Smithsonian museums, National Gallery of Art, and other sites will now focus on making up for lost time and welcoming visitors back to their exhibits and programs. This is a developing story, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available.