From a press release:

“The Smithsonian will reopen eight of its facilities to the public in May, starting with the National Air and Space Museum’s Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, Wednesday, May 5. Additional museums and the National Zoo will open Friday, May 14, and Friday, May 21.

All locations will reopen with added health and safety measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Visitors will need to reserve free timed-entry passes for all locations. All other Smithsonian museums will remain temporarily closed to the public.

Reopening Schedule  (more…)



13th and K Street, NW courtesy Planet Word

From Planet Word:

“We want you to have a safe visit to Planet Word. We are limiting capacity in the building to support social distancing, distributing stylus pens to limit touch interactions with our exhibit screens, and requiring masks be worn at all times on the premises.” (more…)



“The Great Hall of the National Building Museum. Photo by Kevin Allen.”

From a press release:

“On Friday, April 9, 2021, the National Building Museum will reopen after a 16-month closure due to restoration work and the COVID-19 pandemic. In its 41st year as the only U.S. cultural institution dedicated to the built environment, the Museum will once again welcome everyone to experience stories about the structures, interiors, and landscapes that we design and build. New offerings include an exhibition about a nonprofit architecture firm leading the way in designs for health, well-being, and justice; a memorial dedicated to victims of gun violence; the work of an architectural photography master; and a Visitor Center that introduces the public to the institution and its mission.

The Museum’s exhibitions and the Museum Shop will be open from 11 am to 4 pm, Fridays through Sundays. (more…)



rendering credit: Elia Architecture & Interiors

From a press release:

“The National Constitution Center announced it will be the new home for the iconic First Amendment tablet from the former Newseum building in Washington, D.C. The 50-ton marble tablet, engraved with the 45 words of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, was displayed on the four-story-high, 74-foot-tall Pennsylvania Avenue façade of the Newseum, a nonprofit museum founded by the Freedom Forum and dedicated to the five freedoms of the First Amendment.

Work has begun to remove the stone pieces from the building, which was sold to Johns Hopkins University after the Newseum closed in 2019. The tablet remained the property of the Freedom Forum, and will be a gift to the National Constitution Center. The tablet will be reconfigured and emplaced along a 100-foot-wide wall on the National Constitution Center’s Grand Hall Overlook, the second-floor atrium overlooking historic Independence Mall. (more…)



“Katharina Fritsch’s Hahn/Cock Given to National Gallery of Art by Glenstone Museum as a Symbol of Hope and Renewal”

From an email:

“Katharina Fritsch’ Hahn/Cock (2013) has been given on the National Gallery’s 80th anniversary by the Glenstone Museum to the National Gallery as a symbol of hope and renewal on the horizon. While our East/West Buildings remain closed, beginning tonight the sculpture will be illuminated at night so Washingtonians can see it from afar until they can be reunited for that ‘gram again.”

Full press release: (more…)



1704 Connecticut Ave, NW

Thanks to Martha for the heads up. From Dolcezza:

“WE MADE IT Let’s Celebrate

PHEWWW

This week marks a full year since so many small businesses in DC were ordered to close and, we are THRILLED that one year later our Dupont shop has reopened and – MORE GOOD NEWS- our Bethesda, City Center, and Fairfax locations are OPEN FOR GOOD Our location inside the @hirshhorn will also reopen when the @smithsonian is open to the public again. (more…)



Photo by Tim Brown

From a press release:

“The historic Arts + Industries Building (AIB), America’s first National Museum, will temporarily reopen this November after nearly two decades for the debut exhibition FUTURES, the Smithsonian’s first major building-wide exploration of the future. (more…)



1001 F Street, NW

Thanks to David for sending. Madame Tussauds website still lists the D.C. location as “TEMPORARILY CLOSED”:

“In an abundance of caution, Madame Tussauds Washington, D.C. will temporarily close effective Wednesday, March 18. We will remain in contact with the authorities on when we should re-open. If you have purchased tickets for the dates when we will be closed, you may use these tickets for any future date through December 31, 2020.”

Their Facebook was last active January 21st (nobody could resist the Bernie mittens meme!) (more…)



Photo by C Buoscio, don’t mean to tease but to be clear the ice rink will remain closed

Thanks to Donna for sharing: “Good News

The National Gallery will reopen the Sculpture Garden and Pavilion Café to the public starting this Sunday, February 14. The garden will be open 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily. Capacity limited”

From the National Gallery of Art:

“We’re (Almost) Open!

Sculpture Garden: Will Reopen on February 14 from 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. daily (more…)


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