Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin has ordered the closure of a costly EPA-run museum in Washington, D.C., citing low public interest and excessive operational expenses. The move comes as part of a broader review of federal spending under the Trump administration aimed at reducing what officials call “wasteful government programs.”
The museum, located within EPA headquarters, was created to showcase the agency’s history, environmental milestones, and educational materials. Despite its central location and multimillion-dollar budget, internal reports revealed that foot traffic was minimal. In some months, the museum recorded fewer than 30 visitors, including agency staff.
Zeldin, recently appointed to lead the agency, stated that maintaining an exhibit space that fails to attract the public cannot be justified when taxpayer funds are involved. According to budget records, the facility had accumulated millions in expenditures since its inception, including renovation costs, design contracts, and staffing.
The closure was executed swiftly, with the EPA confirming that exhibits are being dismantled and resources redirected toward environmental initiatives with more measurable impact. Staff previously assigned to the museum will be reassigned to other agency divisions.
Critics of the museum had long argued that it served more as a symbolic project than a functional public outreach tool, especially given its limited accessibility and lack of promotion. Supporters, however, viewed the museum as a valuable space for environmental education and institutional legacy.
The shutdown aligns with a series of cost-cutting measures under the Trump administration that have targeted similar programs across multiple federal departments. Zeldin has indicated that additional agency reviews are underway to assess the utility of other non-core programs and facilities.
As the EPA pivots toward streamlining operations, officials say future public engagement efforts will focus on digital platforms and field-based initiatives rather than static displays in underutilized spaces.