Smithsonian and Historical Memory

National Park Service crews removed interpretive panels about the nine people enslaved at the President’s House site in Independence National Historical Park—leaving bolt holes and “panel shadows,” sparking emotional public reaction—and the City of Philadelphia has sued Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and acting NPS Director Jessica Bowron, arguing the city shares design authority and that slavery is central to the site’s story. Interior says the removals comply with President Trump’s executive order to eliminate “divisive” content and called the lawsuit frivolous, while critics and preservation groups say the action is part of a broader administration effort to reshape museum and park narratives, from Smithsonian exhibit changes to other removals.