Smithsonian museums and national zoo shutter amid government shutdown

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The Smithsonian's attractions, including the national zoo, have closed amid the federal government shutdown.
The Smithsonian's attractions, including the national zoo, have closed amid the federal government shutdown. Photo Credit: Valeriia Burlakova/Shutterstock

The Smithsonian Institution museums have shuttered amid the federal government shutdown.

The Smithsonian's 21 museums, research centers and the National Zoo closed Oct. 12. Those attractions drew 16.8 million visitors last year.

The Smithsonian said funds from the prior year enabled it to keep museums open since the shutdown began Oct. 1, but those funds are now depleted.

The shutdown has cost the travel industry $1.7 billion and counting, according to the U.S. Travel Association

It had been able to stay open since the shutdown began on Oct. 1. The association's CEO, Geoff Freeman, said the shutdown has done "real, irreversible damage."

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