Philadelphia’s slavery exhibit, which honored nine enslaved individuals held by George and Martha Washington, was removed following an executive order signed by President Trump. The exhibit, located at the President’s House site in Philadelphia’s historic district, opened in 2010. It was the only federal historic site in America dedicated to the history of slavery. The outdoor display, titled “Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation,” explored the contradiction between slavery and freedom during the nation’s founding.
On March 27, 2025, President Trump signed the “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” executive order. This order directed Interior Secretary Doug Burgum to remove materials from federal sites that were considered “disparaging.” The Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia was specifically targeted. The order required that memorials not include descriptions that “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.” A deadline of July 4, 2026, was set for changes, coinciding with the nation’s 250th anniversary.
On January 23, 2026, the National Park Service began removing the exhibit’s signage. Staff members took down boards and panels that told the stories of enslaved individuals such as Austin, Hercules, and Oney Judge. News crews documented the removal at the President’s House location. Despite the physical removal of the exhibit, the official NPS website still listed it as of that evening. The removal of the exhibit was anticipated following the Trump administration’s directive regarding historical displays. The site, which was home to Presidents George Washington and John Adams, served as a significant location for understanding the nation’s complex history with slavery.
In response, Philadelphia filed a lawsuit in federal court, arguing that the National Park Service did not engage with the city or have its approval for the changes. The lawsuit highlighted procedural violations rather than constitutional issues. Advocacy groups, like the Avenging The Ancestors Coalition, planned actions to protest the removal. Founded in 2002 by attorney Michael Coard, the coalition had worked for years to establish the memorial. They viewed the removal as a threat to the history of slavery at the site.
