WASHINGTON - Anxiety is growing over the plan to close off most routes into the District on Inauguration Day. While most government workers have the day off, thousands of Smithsonian workers are being told to report to work early.

On this historic inauguration day, the Smithsonian may be hosting an employee slumber party of unprecedented proportions.

"Sleeping bags, air mattresses, camping gear. Like a 'Night at the Museum,'" said Judy Gradwohl, a Smithsonian employee.

At the National Museum of American History, 100 employees will be reporting for duty, including security and maintenance workers, plus cafe and gift shop personnel.

Even Brent Glass, the museum's director, will be walking several miles to work. Some employees are so excited, they've volunteered to brave the crowds and come in, even on a day off.

"Most of them will be coming in real early that morning because we're going to open at eight o'clock," noted Glass. "They're improvising. Some of them have air mattresses. There's nice floor space in some of the offices for people to sleep in," he added.

Navigating to work won't be easy, though. For security reasons, the Smithsonian Metro Station will be closed on Inauguration Day, but nearby stops L'Enfant Plaza and Federal Triangle will be open.

"We live out in Kensington so we'll… I'm sure we'll be able to get on the Metro to come in," said government worker Ted McArthy. "But I'm not sure how we're going to get home. It's a long walk," he said.

At the Museum of American History, inaugural visitors will find exhibits featuring the presidency and the first ladies.

The Smithsonian employs more than 6,000 people, most of them in the District. Museum officials are still tallying the numbers of just how many people will be working Inauguration Day.

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