Smithsonian extends hours at popular museums

WASHINGTON — Three of the most popular Smithsonian Institution museums will extend their hours into the evening over the summer months to try to increase revenue for the museum complex.

Smithsonian Secretary Wayne Clough announced the change Monday for the three most visited museums on the National Mall, as well as cuts the Smithsonian has made because of declining revenue from its endowment.

The National Museum of American History, National Air and Space Museum and National Museum of Natural History will stay open two hours later, until 7:30 p.m. every day through Labor Day. The museums open at 10 a.m. and typically closed at the end of the work day.

Declining revenue has also led to more than a dozen layoffs at the museum complex.