Snowstorm Closes SI, January 22, 2016

Summary

January 22-28. All Smithsonian public facilities in the Washington, D.C. region closed at noon on Friday January 22, due to an impending snowstorm. The National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum did not open on Friday, January 22, due to their later opening time. Offices were open Friday morning as usual; however, employees had to depart four hours earlier than their normal departure time and no later than noon. Smithsonian facilities remained closed Saturday, January 23; Sunday, January 24; and Monday, January 25, including any planned special events. Four museum, the National Air and Space Museum (Mall), the National Museum of Natural History, the National Portrait Gallery, and the American Art Museum, opened to the public on Tuesday, January 26; however, the Office of Personnel Management closed the federal government in Washington, D.C., so all offices and remaining museums remained closed. All Smithsonian offices opened with three hour delays on Wednesday, January 27, and Thursday, January 28.

Subject

• National Museum of Natural History (U.S.)
• National Air and Space Museum
• Smithsonian American Art Museum
• National Portrait Gallery (U.S.)

Category

Chronology of Smithsonian History

Notes

• SI Announcements Email, 01/22/2016 "Message from the Under Secretary: Status of Smithsonian Museums in Washington, D.C."
• SI Announcements Email, 01/24/2016 "Message from the Under Secretary: Update on Smithsonian Facilities in Washington, D.C."
• SI Announcements Email, 01/25/2016 "Message from the Under Secretary: Federal Offices in Washington, D.C., Are Closed Tuesday, Jan. 26"

Contact information

Institutional History Division, Smithsonian Institution Archives, 600 Maryland Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20024-2520, SIHistory@si.edu

Date

January 22-28, 2016

Topic

• Weather
• Closings
• Snow
• Architecture
• Winter storms
• Blizzards
• Buildings

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