Trump administration replaces President's House slavery panels after court ruling

The Interior Department installed a new set of panels at the President's House on Independence Mall in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, replacing a previous exhibit that focused on the nine enslaved people who lived at George Washington's Philadelphia residence. The change came after the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit granted the federal government permission to remove the earlier panels.

City officials said the installation occurred while the site was largely unattended during the MLB All-Star festivities, allowing the panels to be swapped without public observation. Mayor Cherelle L. Parker announced the city will seek a rehearing on what it described as “serious legal issues” in the appellate decision.

The new displays present a broader timeline of American history and include references to Washington’s personal doubts about slavery, while also noting that his wealth was tied to the institution. One panel states that enslaved workers at the President’s House were sometimes allowed to attend city events, such as theater performances, on tickets purchased by Washington.

An Interior Department spokesperson said the panels “acknowledge the evils of slavery, including its injustice and hypocrisies,” and provide “full story” context for the site and other locations in Independence National Historical Park.

Advocacy groups, including the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, expressed disappointment and indicated they will explore further legal options. The installation concludes a series of legal disputes that began when the Trump administration removed all exhibits from the President’s House in January under an executive order reviewing content at national parks.

The case has moved through multiple courts, with a district judge previously ordering the restoration of the original panels and a subsequent stay by the Second Circuit clearing the way for the current installation.