The Trump administration has replaced an exhibit about slavery at George Washington's former Philadelphia home with new panels that critics say whitewash history and sympathize with enslavers. The installation occurred overnight on 15 July 2026, after a six-month legal battle between the city of Philadelphia and the federal government.
Background of the Dispute
The original panels, installed in 2010, detailed the lives of nine enslaved people who served George and Martha Washington in the 1790s when Philadelphia was the temporary US capital. On 22 January 2026, the National Park Service (NPS) removed them to comply with President Trump's executive order 'Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,' issued on 27 March 2025. The city sued, and Judge Cynthia M Rufe ordered reinstatement on 16 February. The NPS reinstalled half the exhibit, but the site remained in limbo until the US third circuit court ruled in mid-June that the panels could be replaced. A three-judge panel confirmed this on 3 July.
New Panels and Criticism
The new panels, installed by early morning on 15 July, present what the Trump administration calls a 'fuller picture' of the nation's origins. Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle L Parker condemned the secretive removal: 'Overnight, under the cover of darkness, the federal government removed panels... that it did so at night shows it understands this action is shameful.'
A Department of Interior spokesperson defended the new panels: 'They acknowledge the evils of slavery... and, by telling the stories of the nine slaves that Washington kept in the President's House, remind us of their essential humanity.' One panel highlights Washington's unease toward slavery, while another claims enslaved people 'experienced a greater modicum of autonomy than elsewhere in the South such as to explore the city and sometimes even attend the theater, with Washington buying the tickets.'
Reactions from Activists and Scholars
Philadelphia attorney Michael Coard, founder of the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, called the replacement 'a first step to fascism,' comparing it to George Orwell's 1984. 'What if the president doesn't like the Liberty Bell? Do you move it? What if he doesn't like the Statue of Liberty? This is a slippery slope,' Coard said. He noted that the city may still seek reconsideration from a full 14-member third circuit court or appeal to the US Supreme Court.
Matt Hall, a Temple University professor and founder of the grassroots group Old City Remembers, expressed disappointment but vowed to continue preserving the original history. Since February, over 100 volunteers have stood at the site with informational packets sharing the original text. 'Now is not the time to roll over and let them get away with rewriting history,' Hall said.
Artist and activist Alyssa Bigbee, who volunteers with Avenging the Ancestors, stated: 'I'm disgusted that the administration is choosing to hide history, but the truth is, you can't erase it. History will remember that we had cowards in office that chose to erase history and brave people who continue to fight against them.'
