Smithsonian museums closed amid shutdown

WASHINGTON -- Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo, which receive federal funding, are closing temporarily amid the federal government shutdown .

The shutdown impacts all 21 of the Smithsonian's institutions, such as its Air and Space Museum and the National History Museum in Washington, D.C., as well as its nine research centers and museums outside of Washington, D.C., including in Virginia and New York City, the organization announced in a social media post .

"We will update our operating status as soon as the situation is resolved," The Smithsonian said in its announcement. "We do not plan to update social media other than to inform you of changes to our operating status."

Although physical Smithsonian facilities remain closed, the research institution's digital resources ar