The National Museum of Science, Education and Culture, one of the oldest institutions of learning in the world, is closing its doors for good after 25 years.
Its owners, British-based company Discovery, are aiming to bring its educational offerings and interactive exhibits back online in the coming years, in an attempt to attract more tourists.
It will be the last museum in Britain to be closed.
The museum was opened in 1892 by Sir John Lightner, who was the patron of the Smithsonian Institution and was a friend of the late President Teddy Roosevelt.
It has been a beacon for education, research and cultural life around the world.
It was originally called the National Museum in the USA, but its main focus was in the developing world.
The first exhibits were in Africa, and there was also a science centre in South Africa, which opened in 1971.
In recent years, the museum has focused on Africa and Latin America.
This summer, a new, upgraded building in South America opened.
The next building, a replica of the original building in London, is due to open in 2019.
This week, it announced it was planning to close the museum for good.
There were also plans to reopen it as a museum of archaeology, with the first permanent exhibits being in 2018.
The National Gallery, which is one of Britain’s most famous institutions, will also be closed for the next 25 years, and the Science Museum will close next year.
Museum director Michael Lonergan said: “The museum of the future is about bringing people together and making them feel connected.
It is our belief that in a digital world, people are more likely to come together, and we want to see that happen more.”
The museum has had a long and distinguished history, with its exhibitions spanning from the 19th Century to the 1960s.
It also has a history of supporting international and international students.
Dr Lonerggan said museums were important to the British economy, and had been in the public interest since they opened in 1886.
The BBC understands the museum’s board are considering the closure of the museum, as the new building is expected to open later this year. “
The Museum of the Future is a strong sign of how much we value and value our museum of education, of learning, of exploration and discovery.”
The BBC understands the museum’s board are considering the closure of the museum, as the new building is expected to open later this year.
There will also likely be a reopening of the British Library in 2018, with new exhibitions due to be unveiled in 2019 and 2020.
The BBC’s Helen Boaden reports from London.