Statement from the Trust for the National Mall

STATEMENT FROM THE TRUST FOR THE NATIONAL MALL 

By Catherine Townsend, President & CEO 

GOVERNMENT SHUTDOWN LIMITS ACCESS TO THE NATIONAL MALL, WHILE NATIONAL MALL GATEWAY – OUR NEW DIGITAL RESOURCE – REMAINS OPEN 

The federal government shutdown is affecting the National Park Service’s ability to welcome visitors and maintain select facilities on the National Mall. As the nonprofit, nonpartisan partner of the National Park Service, the Trust for the National Mall will continue raising private funds to restore, preserve, and enrich the visitor experience—and to help ensure continuity for the National Mall as needed. 

The National Mall remains open. Iconic sites such as the Lincoln Memorial and Jefferson Memorial are fully accessible, though federal buildings and indoor sites including the Washington Monument tour, Lockkeeper’s House and the U.S. Park Police Horse Stables Education Center will be closed. In compliance with the shutdown, our Volunteers-in-Parks will also not be on site to help welcome and educate visitors. 

To support visitors during this time, the Trust encourages families, educators, and students to explore the  National Mall Gateway. This new digital platform developed with the National Park Service provides historical facts, stories, and exclusive 360-degree video tours of sites across the National Mall—including access to sites that are currently closed. 

Some upcoming Trust for the National Mall events and tours may need to be adjusted due to the shutdown. We appreciate your patience and continued support as we work to ensure the National Mall remains a place of reflection, inspiration, and pride for all.