EPA Museum Closes Its Doors as Visitor Numbers Fall Short of Expectations

The Environmental Protection Agency has decided to close the National Environmental Museum and Education Center near the White House, which saw remarkably low visitor turnout since its opening in May 2024. This closure was announced by Administrator Lee Zeldin on Monday and raises questions about the effectiveness of such government-funded initiatives.

A Multimillion-Dollar Investment

Under the Biden administration, the museum cost approximately $4 million to construct, adhering to Smithsonian standards, and incurred annual operating costs that exceeded $600,000. The EPA stated that fewer than 2,000 visitors wandered through its doors between May 2024 and February 2025. Although admission was free, the cost to taxpayers averaged nearly $315 per visitor, highlighting the museum’s inefficiency.

Situated within the William Jefferson Clinton federal building, which houses the EPA headquarters only blocks away from the White House, the museum was intended to serve as a monument to environmental advocacy, yet it struggled to attract a sizable audience. A smaller exhibit had covered similar themes in a neighboring federal building prior to this new development.