Over a hundred individuals gathered on Saturday afternoon in Old City, Philadelphia, to stand in defense of the slavery-focused exhibit at the President’s House Site, located near the Liberty Bell. They expressed their anger regarding a federal review that might lead to the removal or revision of exhibits that openly discuss America’s legacy of slavery.
Roz McPherson, who played a pivotal role as project director during the exhibit’s creation, emphasized the importance of the site in portraying a crucial but often overlooked part of history.
“This site is an opportunity to tell the complex stories of people who were both free and enslaved, the folks who were allies, what people did to seek their freedom and how George Washington illegally transported his people back and forth every six months so that they could not petition for their freedom,” she explained.
The rally was organized in response to President Donald Trump’s executive order, a directive that leads the Department of the Interior to seek out and potentially remove national park exhibits that could be perceived as disparaging to America or its founders.
The Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, serving as historiographer and executive director of AME Church, firmly rejected the characterization that the exhibits at the President’s House Site unjustly criticize the founding fathers.
“We don’t have to knock someone down by telling the truth about who they are,” he stated. “Everyone is a complicated person, even the founding fathers of our country. And so we want to make sure that the real truth is told and that we don’t do a disservice to the ancestors, the enslaved who lived here.”
McPherson voiced her belief that George Washington would not endorse the current president’s initiatives.
“I think he would be conflicted,” she said. “I think that he would feel bad about Trump’s decision based on ignorance, not strategy.”
Recent federal documents acquired by The Philadelphia Inquirer and The New York Times have identified 13 exhibits for potential revision or removal, including significant displays such as “Life Under Slavery” and “The Dirty Business of Slavery” at the President’s House Site. Other historical sites under evaluation include the Benjamin Franklin Museum, Independence Hall, and the Second Bank of the United States.
The ongoing examination also pertains to the exhibit titled “Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation,” which opened in 2010 and deeply explores the lives of the enslaved individuals within Washington’s Philadelphia household.
Surrounding landmarks contain narratives that complicate the story of liberty in America’s early democracy. For instance, the springing narrative of “Life Under Slavery” includes information pertaining to Richard Allen, who purchased his and his family’s freedom and subsequently established Mother Bethel Church. Also featured is an illustration depicting Washington signing the Fugitive Slave Act while a posse confronts Black men attempting to escape slavery.
Anthony Wong, a visitor from New Jersey who watched the rally unfold, expressed that such exhibits are critical in providing a thorough understanding of American history.
“Any records in general that outline our history is pretty important, even if they were in hindsight bad mistakes,” he stated while viewing the exhibit titled “The Dirty Business of Slavery.”
“That’s how you learn. And erasing histories, it’s a sham. It’s just a total disappointment.”
Wong noted the contradiction inherent in the Founding Fathers drafting the Constitution while simultaneously owning slaves.
As Philadelphia gears up for significant 2026 celebrations marking America’s 250th anniversary, the federal government and philanthropies have pledged $85 million for the renovation of park infrastructure. Interestingly, President Trump’s executive order includes directions for the Department of the Interior to allocate adequate funding for “restoring” Independence National Historical Park, coinciding with the milestone celebrations.
While some of this funding is aimed at repairs and enhancing visitor experiences, a notable part is designated for promoting “inclusive storytelling” that captures the complexity of American history.
During the rally, participants voiced concerns that if the exhibits were subject to whitewashing, future visitors might not learn the true history of the country, leaving them uninformed.
However, Tyler assured attendees that Philadelphians are committed to ensuring that the truth prevails.
“If we have to stand out as volunteer docents on the corner, telling people who walked by about what happened on this site, we’re going to make sure this story is told,” he affirmed.
He added, “African Americans haven’t always had these wonderful memorials, and so we know how to make sure that we tell our story with or without it.”
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