The D.C. museum dedicated to journalism, the First Amendment and a free press will close at the end of the year. The Newseum said in a statement that the museum will close Dec. 31, 2019.
The privately-funded museum has struggled financially for years, the statement said.
The museum's primary funder and creator, the Freedom Forum, can't afford to continue operating the building, which stretches more than 400,000 square feet on coveted real estate near the National Mall.
The museum charges up to $24.95 for adult admission and has competed with a host of free museums just blocks away.
Johns Hopkins University purchased the building earlier this year. At that time, Jan Neuharth, the chair and chief executive of Freedom Forum, said the museum was looking for a new home in the D.C. area.
The Newseum didn't announce any plans to move its entire collection to a new site, but a spokesperson told News4 that they hope to find one.
"We hope to find a suitable location that can serve as the Newseum's next home but that process will take time," Sonya Gavankar said in an email.
The Freedom Forum said it will continue operating educational efforts online and through public programs. It's already started searching for short-term office space, Gavankar said.
For the past 11 years, visitors could see sections of the Berlin Wall, a memorial to journalists slain on the job and an exhibit on how news organizations covered 9/11.
Johns Hopkins University purchased the building earlier this year. At that time, Jan Neuharth, the chair and chief executive of Freedom Forum, said the museum was looking for a new home in the D.C. area.
The Newseum didn't announce any plans to move its entire collection to a new site, but a spokesperson told News4 that they hope to find one.
"We hope to find a suitable location that can serve as the Newseum's next home but that process will take time," Sonya Gavankar said in an email.
The Freedom Forum said it will continue operating educational efforts online and through public programs. It's already started searching for short-term office space, Gavankar said.
For the past 11 years, visitors could see sections of the Berlin Wall, a memorial to journalists slain on the job and an exhibit on how news organizations covered 9/11.
The Newseum currently has a special exhibit about "The Daily Show With Jon Stewart."
You still have some time to visit: All the artifacts and exhibits will remain on display through the end of the year, the Newseum says.
You still have some time to visit: All the artifacts and exhibits will remain on display through the end of the year, the Newseum says.
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