The National Aquarium is closing. The Washington DC location must close as the at the U.S. Commerce Department's headquarters building must undergo renovations.
The building where the aquarium is located will be closing on September 30, 2013 as the Herbert C. Hoover Building is currently in the middle of an eight-phase, 14-year reconstruction project set to be completed in 2021. The General Services Administration (GSA) says that the National Aquarium must vacate is space in the building by March 2014.
The September 30 closing date allows the aquarium to have time to relocate all of the animals. The aquarium's 1,500 animals will be moved to new homes at either National Aquarium, Baltimore, or at other accredited aquariums. However the aquarium is looking for a way to stay in Washington D.C.
"Here at the National Aquarium, we value our DC venue's rich history as the nation's first public aquarium, and we are committed to maintaining a presence in the capital, where a public aquarium has existed since the late 1800s," said Tamika Langley Tremaglio, National Aquarium, Washington, DC, Board Chair.
Several National Aquarium Board members are looking for opportunities and funding that would support their goal of sticking around the capitol. The closure of the Washington D.C. location will not impact the operation of National Aquarium, Baltimore, one of the nation's leading aquariums.
The National Aquarium of Washington, DC was established in 1873 and first opened its doors to visitors in 1885. It started out with 180 species of fish, reptiles and other aquatic animals. Federal funding for the aquarium ended in 1982, and the museum continued as a privately funded organization.
The closure will impacts 14 of the aquarium's full-time employees who work on its scientific and educational programs. Some employees will be transferred to the Baltimore location. Others will be given severance packages.
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