National Park Service Removes Slavery Exhibit at Philadelphia's President's House

The National Park Service has removed an exhibit on slavery from the President's House Site at Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia. The outdoor exhibit, titled "Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation," highlighted the lives of nine individuals enslaved by President George Washington during his residence in Philadelphia. This action follows a March 2025 executive order by President Donald Trump, instructing federal agencies to review and potentially remove materials that "inappropriately disparage Americans past or living."

The Interior Department stated that the removal aligns with the executive order's directive to ensure interpretive materials reflect shared national values. The department emphasized the importance of presenting history that is "accurate, honest, and reflective of shared national values."

The dismantling of the exhibit has sparked criticism from local officials and activists. Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson condemned the removal, stating, "Removing the exhibits is an effort to whitewash American history. History cannot be erased simply because it is uncomfortable." Michael Coard, a founding member of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, described the action as "outrageous and blatantly racist."

In response, the city of Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit against Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and acting National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron, arguing that the removal was "arbitrary and capricious." The lawsuit contends that the city was not given prior notice and that the action violates a 2006 cooperative agreement between the city and the federal government.

The President's House Site, established in 2010, serves as a memorial to the nine individuals enslaved by Washington and aims to present a comprehensive narrative of the nation's founding, acknowledging both its ideals and contradictions.