Staffing shortages contribute to museum schedule changes

These schedule changes will be in effect until January 17.

Dear Colleagues,

As a new year begins, it brings us all a much-needed spirit of hope, resiliency and light. I recognize that the pandemic continues to impact our daily lives and that we are all looking forward to the day when we can be together again safely.  

As I have shared since the beginning of the pandemic, the Smithsonian will adjust and pivot our operations as needed to always ensure the safety and health of our employees and visitors alike. With the recent surge in COVID-19 cases across the country, we are preparing for unprecedented staff shortages in the coming weeks. To accommodate these shortages, the Smithsonian museums in Washington D.C. will operate on a modified schedule from Wednesday, Jan. 5 through Monday, Jan. 17, reducing the days of operation at some museums and closing two museums during this period. 

Four of the most-visited museums on the National Mall­­—the National Museum of Natural History, the National Museum of American History, the National Museum of African American History and Culture and the newly reopened Arts and Industries Building­­—will remain open to the public five days a week. 

The National Air and Space Museum and the Anacostia Community Museum will be closed through Jan. 17. Additional museums in D.C. will be open to the public for two to four days a week during this period. 

This modified schedule allows the Smithsonian to reposition key staff across its museums as needed while ensuring that museums remain open to the public each day of the week. Museums may have limited public entrances, and some exhibition spaces may be closed during this period to reduce the number of on-site staff needed. The schedule for Jan. 5–17 can be found at Hours and Admission | Smithsonian Institution. All museums open 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. unless otherwise noted.   

We will be carefully monitoring this plan over the next two weeks before we make any decisions about our schedule for the remainder of the month, and I will continue to keep you updated. As always, thank you to all our staff ensuring the continuity of our operations most especially during these unprecedented times. May the new year bring you and yours an abundance of health, joy and prosperity.  

Sincerely,

Lonnie Bunch
Secretary

Related posts:

Of service and thanks: Collecting after January 6 Sidedoor: Take who out to the ballgame? In Memoriam: James Merle Weaver COVID-19 Update: Local quarantine and face-covering guidance