As of October 1, the federal government has officially shut down, following Congress’s failure to reach an agreement on a Continuing Resolution (CR) to maintain current funding levels.

The impasse has triggered widespread disruptions, including the furlough of hundreds of thousands of federal workers. The last government shutdown lasted for 35 days in 2018 and into 2019.

For the historic preservation community, the impact could be severe if the shutdown continues. Project reviews are likely to be delayed, grant processing at the National Park Service could slow or come to a halt, and operations at State and Tribal Historic Preservation Offices (SHPOs and THPOs) may be significantly disrupted.

Communities that depend on federal support for preservation initiatives now face heightened uncertainty and potential setbacks.

As of now, many National Parks will remain open to the public, but with reduced staffing and limited programming. Visitors can expect curtailed services.

This ongoing budget standoff underscores a critical truth: preserving our nation’s historic and cultural resources requires stable, long-term federal investment.

We continue to advocate for reliable funding to ensure that preservation efforts are not left in limbo during political gridlock.

The National Trust’s Government Relations team is closely monitoring the impacts of the federal shutdown and ongoing negotiations. We will continue to share updates on our website and social media channels.

If you know of historic preservation efforts directly affected by the shutdown, please let us know by emailing policy@savingplaces.org. Your stories help us highlight the critical role preservation plays in communities nationwide.