In the case of U.S. government shutdowns, it is difficult to track openness and closures as states, agencies and parks follow different protocols.
The U.S. government has been shut down as Congress failed to reach an agreement on funding on October 1. As a result, many government agencies and programs have ceased. This can include museums and historical sites as well as national parks, etc.
Although most outdoor parks and monuments are still accessible to the public, many are missing persons and workers who run travel and visitor centers. Despite outlining contingency plans for national parks, the lack of unity has shut down some people while others remain open with suspended or limited services, and some states have even stepped in to keep the park running.
The last administration shutdown in 2018 lasted a record 35 days during Trump’s first presidency, with several national parks reporting significant damage caused during the closures, delaying their reopening.
“Our national parks are open after Trump and Republicans forced the government to shut down is stupid, shortsighted and incredible danger,” a statement said. “When our parks are understaffed, we have seen the irreparable harm that can be done. Vandalism, garbage and human waste can damage the natural treasures of the world’s jealousy. But obviously nothing can say “making America great” more like turning Yosemite into a huge toilet.”
Bill Wade, executive director of the National Park Rangers Association, told Washington Post The park has operated with the fewest staff as permanent national park service staff dropped by nearly 25% earlier this year.
According to the National Park Conservation Association, national parks will lose more than $1 million in fee income per day. This loss of revenue echoed in a information sheet from the American Alliance of Museums, which lost $5 billion in the last closure, estimated to lose National Park revenue between $10 million and $11 million, $3.4 million, and $3.4 million in losses, the agency lost $3.4 million in Smithnia, which lost 21 Mudeums and Zoos and other venues and other venues.
“Be more cautious so you don’t have to rely on an already very short park,” Wade advised. It also points out that in addition to lost revenue and shortage of employees, search or enforcement response time, it may also be slower than usual in addition to tax losses, search or enforcement response time.
This warning is important for those who are still planning to visit national sites during the ongoing closure.
According to the nonprofit DC promoting Washington, DC, in the U.S. capital, network stations such as the Library of Congress, the National Archives Museum, the Washington Monument and the National Botanical Garden have been closed since.
However, the Smithsonian-Lenia agency’s agencies remain open to funding from previous years to October 11. If the closure lasts until that date, the Smithsonians will also close. Open-air memorials and monuments, including the National Mall, are still open to the public in the National Park Services contingency plan.
Some sites managed by the National Park Service remain open, while others are closed. In New York, both the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island continue to be open, and tickets are still available for purchase. The National Museum of American Indians will open on October 11 as part of the Smithsonian institution. Cooper Hewitt, the Smithsonian Design Museum, as well as its gardens, shops and cafes, are also open, but the gallery is previously expected to close by November 20.
Although some have marked a government shutdown warning, it is unclear whether the African Cemetery National Monument, Grant’s grave, Hamilton Farm and the Federal Hall on Wall Street are open or closed. Call the phone to these sites, either without a reply or redirected visitor to their site for working hours.
Several landmarks that visit the city have been closed, including the Liberty Bell Center, the Independence Hall and the Benjamin Franklin Museum, may disappoint historic Philadelphia visitors.
According to the park’s website, all ticketing activities are suspended until further notice.
As a NASA contractor, the Kennedy Space Center in Merritt Island, Florida remains open, with exhibitions and attractions still available on its website.
Mount Rushmore travelers can still visit the South Dakota National Memorial as usual, with restrooms, restaurants and gift shops still open.
Historic sites in Hawaii, including the Pearl Harbor National Memorial, are expected to remain open and operated during normal times.
Although these are just a few examples from the country, visitors double-check information before heading to any government and publicly funded locations.
