National Archives joins White House in cutting back tours

First the White House, now the National Archives. Once again, the sequester is to blame for canceled tours.

The National Archives said Friday that visitors who had reserved times for tours of the facility later than 4:45 p.m. will have to reschedule, according to WRC-TV (Channel 4), a local NBC affiliate. Budget cuts are to blame, National Archive officials said.

Normally, tour times at the facility are extended to meet busy season demand. Between March 15 and Labor Day, exhibits have historically remained open from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m.

This year, hours are reduced and tours will only take place between 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m.

Research rooms affiliated with the National Archives in Washington and in College Park, Md., are all affected by the reduced-hour mandate.

The Obama administration was heavily criticized recently after announcing that tours at the White House were canceled due to budget cuts. Administration officials distanced the president from the line of fire and blamed Secret Service for the cancellations.

Some in the GOP camp, including billionaire businessman Donald Trump, have offered to pay to keep the White House open to tours.

© Copyright 2013 The Washington Times, LLC. Click here for reprint permission.