Seven Smithsonian locations in Washington, DC, closed today, August 6, after a “mechanical issue.”
In an announcement posted on X, the institution said the affected sites are the National Museum of the American Indian, Hirshhorn Museum, National Museum of Asian Art, National Museum of African Art, Smithsonian Castle, Arts and Industries Building, and the S. Dillon Ripley Center.
A Smithsonian representative told the Washington Post that the buildings had stopped receiving cold water from their cooling system. The city is in the midst of another sweltering summer, with today’s heat index values reaching near or above 100 degrees (~38 Celsius).
The closure follows a similar episode last summer, when four Smithsonian locations shut down because of central plant issues that interfered with heating, ventilation, and air conditioning control. Those museums reopened to the public after three days.
It remains unclear whether the mechanical problem has affected any of the buildings’ collections, many of which require climate-controlled conditions. The Smithsonian has not responded to Hyperallergic’s request for comment, and no reopening timeline has been announced. Updates will be posted on the Smithsonian’s virtual visitor center page.
