Raina Yancey recalls her childhood days spent at Independence National Historical Park, where her mother worked as a park ranger. Those formative experiences instilled in her a lasting love for American history.
“As a kid, my mom took me to work with her, and I was always running around the park and absorbing all the history,” Yancey reflected. “Those years are really what inspired me to do what I do now.”
Today, Yancey operates as a tour guide and is the founder of The Black Journey, a walking tour focused on Philadelphia’s Black history, which includes stops at Independence NHP. She launched The Black Journey to honor the legacy of her mother and to keep the history they both cherish prominently in public discourse.
However, last week, over a dozen exhibits at Independence National Historical Park that highlight the presence of enslaved people and tackle the country’s legacy of slavery were flagged for review. This action follows an executive order from President Donald Trump’s administration.
On Saturday, more than 100 historians, community leaders, and residents gathered near the Liberty Bell to protest the possible removal of exhibits and to advocate for the preservation of a slavery-focused exhibit at the President’s House site located at 6th and Market streets. Many of these participants were key Black activists who had previously worked diligently between 2002 and 2010 to ensure a comprehensive representation of the site’s history.
Documents obtained by the New York Times indicate that the National Park Service plans to evaluate various exhibits, including those at the President’s House Site, Benjamin Franklin Museum, and Independence Hall, among others. This review aims to identify content deemed to “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.”
The Edgar Allan Poe National Historic Site has also been flagged for mentioning Poe’s opposition to the abolition of slavery, along with comments on violence against immigrants, Catholics, and African Americans in Philadelphia, particularly following the disenfranchisement of Black voters in 1838.
For Yancey, the designation ‘inappropriate’ is particularly troubling. “I take issue particularly with the ‘inappropriate’ label,” she stated emphatically. “It’s not inappropriate. It’s my history and the history of my ancestors. For our history to be excluded, it’s painful and hurtful.”
Should the exhibits be altered or removed following the review, Yancey believes her work will become that much more critical. “[We’ll be] doubling down, providing even more tours to share even more history with our visitors from all around the world,” she stated, expressing her determination to continue her tours regardless of the outcome.
The six displays at the President’s House Site, where historical figures like George Washington and John Adams lived, particularly focus on the essential yet conflicting themes of freedom and slavery during America’s founding years. They memorialize the enslaved individuals who lived under Washington’s household while he presided over a nation founded on liberty.
Rebecca Fisher, co-founder of Beyond the Bell Tours, reveals that the exhibits at the President’s House Site inspired her to start her own tour business. Beyond the Bell aims to showcase the contributions of LGBTQ+ individuals and women in history, as well as other essential yet overlooked narratives.
Fisher observed, “Other tours weren’t necessarily talking about slavery. They weren’t necessarily going into any of the stories that I felt were important for us, particularly like what’s represented at the President’s House.”
She believes the exhibits at risk represent a history that is already underrepresented, and the removal of such content would be a significant setback. Expressing her frustration, Fisher remarked, “I think it’s a slap in the face to the people who worked so tirelessly to get that monument there. It’s a step backward, but it’s also exactly what this country is capable of. It’s an embrace of our worst nature.”
Both Yancey and Fisher have noticed a decline in international tourists on their tours and attribute this trend to a decrease in America’s global reputation. They reported that, although they have heard negative comments online, they have yet to face any critical remarks during the actual tours.
Fisher noted fewer Canadian tourists this year, linking this to trade conflicts and President Trump’s comments about potential U.S. annexation of Canada. Nevertheless, both women stated that these changes have not drastically impacted their businesses economically.
On the other hand, Sarah Majors, a tour guide with Grim Philly, pointed out that Yancey and Fisher’s tours likely cater to audiences that are more open to discussions of sensitive historical topics. Grim Philly focuses on darker aspects of the city’s history, and Majors has sometimes faced backlash.
“I’ve had people yell at me or leave the tour because I’m being too ‘woke’ or too political,” she shared. Though these instances are infrequent, they do occur.
Majors mentioned that many of her tour guests often seek entertainment rather than in-depth education about historical complexities. However, she feels an obligation to keep participants informed regarding the scrutiny some exhibits are currently under and anticipates potential negative reactions.
“You’re welcome to express your opinion. That’s the beauty of living in a country with freedom of speech. But I can’t change reality for you,” she emphasized. “I’m not going to contribute to not telling the truth.”
The Trump administration has indicated that it plans to remove or screen all material deemed inappropriate by September 17, 2025, creating a concerning atmosphere for historical narratives at sites that are meant to educate the public about America’s complex history.
image source from：billypenn
