Smithsonian to reopen four DC museums on Friday

The Smithsonian will reopen four of its D.C. museums on Friday with reduced hours of operation following closures put in place earlier this year due to the coronavirus pandemic. 

The National Museum of African American History and Culture, the National Portrait Gallery, the American Art Museum and the Renwick Gallery will reopen at the end of the week, the Smithsonian announced Monday. 

The museums will have reduced days and hours, and most will require visitors to reserve timed passes. 

The National Museum of African American History and Culture will be open from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 

The National Portrait Gallery and American Art Museum will both be open from 11:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. 

The Renwick Gallery will be open from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday and will not require timed passes. 

Visitors ages 6 and older will be required to wear face coverings at the facilities. The Smithsonian’s guidelines also call for visitors to maintain six feet or more between households or groups at all times. 

When it reopens, the National Portrait Gallery said it will have some new portraits on display, including one of the late civil rights activist Rep. John Lewis (D-Ga.). Lewis died in July at 80. 

“I feel that we’re very much a local museum, and we’re looking forward to seeing our friends walk in the door on Friday,” National Portrait Gallery Director Kim Sajet told WTOP.

The museum will also have its newest exhibit on display, called “Her Story: A Century of Women Writers,” which will feature 24 portraits of writers.