The trust that oversees the Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park announced Friday afternoon that the visitor center at Richmond’s waterfront will be closed “until further notice” due to the federal government shutdown that began Wednesday.
A shutdown contingency plan released by the park service late Tuesday said parks will generally remain accessible to visitors, though the shutdown triggered the furlough of about two-thirds of National Park Service employees.
Because of the shutdown, none of the nation’s 400 park websites are being individually updated with closure notices. Instead there is a general note posted stating that, “National parks remain as accessible as possible during the federal government shutdown. However, some services may be limited or unavailable. For more information, please visit: doi.gov/shutdown.”
A group of 40 former National Park Service superintendents last week urged the Trump administration to close the parks during any shutdowns to prevent a repeat of the damage that occurred during previous government shutdowns, in 2018 and 2019. They warned a shutdown now would be worse with parks already under strain from a 24% staff cut and severe budget reductions.
An email from the Rosie the Riveter Trust executive director emphasized that despite the shutdown there are still ways to learn about Rosie thanks to outdoor exhibits and interpretive trails or virtually and via driving tours and films such as “No Time to Waste: The Urgent Mission of Betty Reid Soskin.”
“The stories of “grit and determination that took place on the WWII home front are still here and accessible for all,” said Sarah Pritchard, executive director of the trust, pointing to sites including the Rosie the Riveter Memorial, Kaiser Shipyards and the SS Red Oak Victory Ship. “Rosie the Riveter Trust remains committed to supporting the park and sharing the Rosie the Riveter legacy and stories that continue to inspire.”
Rosie the Riveter Trust, the national park’s official nonprofit partner, will remain open.
NPS Rosie the Riveter/WWII Home Front National Historical Park resources
NPS Rosie the Riveter Auto-Audio Tour
Richmond Museum of History and Culture
Rosie the Riveter Trust Tour Tour
Rosie the Riveter Memorial at Marina Bayfront Park
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
