How A Potential Government Shutdown Would Impact OKC National Memorial And Museum

The Oklahoma City Memorial Museum is among the entities that would see an impact from a federal government shutdown.

President and CEO of the Memorial Museum, Kari Watkins, spoke with News 9 as lawmakers continued to struggle to find common ground.

"We hold the government in great regard, but we expect those we send to D.C. to cooperate and get along," said Watkins.

Both the memorial and museum are privately owned, but its park rangers are federal employees. If a government shutdown does happen, both staff and volunteers are well-prepared to step into the park ranger's role.

“This site was an attack on the federal government of all things, so it should not be impacted,” said Watkins.

Park rangers are outside every day on the memorial site answering questions and leading tours.

However, Watkins said visitors will still have a great experience without park rangers there as hundreds of visitors already use the site’s app for self-guided tours.

The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum has been through several government shutdowns in the past, according to Watkins.

She believes the site's sacred ground should serve as a reminder to find common ground.

"Most of those chairs were federal employees or people who used the federal system," said Watkins. "We believe if there is ever a place in America where the people and government should work together, it should be here."

No matter what happens on October 1, The Oklahoma City National Memorial and Museum will remain open.

Watkins said that while the park rangers do a great job, staff will always find a way to tell survivors' stories.