The SI is always around these things................gov. shut downs.......etc..............in the novel about DC...................Lost Symbol..................a 33rd degree mason..........and curator of the SI........wow..........




During the Federal government shutdown of 1995 and 1996, Dry Tortugas was closed along with all other national parks. Seeing this as having a damaging effect on their tourism-dependent economy, the residents of Key West, Florida, raised money to keep Dry Tortugas open. The effort was inspired by the Smithsonian Institution, which raised private donations to keep its museums open during the shutdown.