Federal Judge Orders Restoration of Slavery Exhibit at George Washington’s Former Home
A federal judge has ruled that an exhibit about nine people enslaved by George Washington must be restored at his former home in Philadelphia, after President Donald Trump’s administration removed it last month. The exhibit, which was created in partnership between the city and federal officials, included biographical details about each of the nine people enslaved by the Washingtons at the home, including two who escaped.
The removal of the exhibit came in response to a Trump executive order aimed at “restoring truth and sanity to American history” at the nation’s museums, parks, and landmarks. However, U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe ruled that the removal was unlawful and ordered the National Park Service to restore the exhibit to its original condition. Rufe, an appointee of Republican President George W. Bush, began her written order with a quote from George Orwell’s dystopian novel “1984” and compared the Trump administration to the book’s totalitarian regime.
Background on the Exhibit and its Removal
The exhibit, which was located at Independence National Historical Park, told the story of the nine people enslaved by George and Martha Washington in the 1790s, when Philadelphia was briefly the nation’s capital. The exhibit included the names of the enslaved individuals, including Oney Judge, who escaped from the Washingtons’ Philadelphia house in 1796, and Hercules, who escaped in 1797. The exhibit also provided context about the history of slavery in the United States and the experiences of enslaved people at the Washingtons’ home.
The removal of the exhibit was met with widespread criticism from local politicians, Black community leaders, and historians, who argued that it was an attempt to erase the history of slavery and the experiences of enslaved people. State Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta, a Philadelphia Democrat, said the community prevailed against an attempt by the Trump administration to “whitewash our history.”
Implications of the Ruling
The ruling has significant implications for the way that American history is presented at national parks and landmarks. The judge’s decision makes clear that the federal government cannot simply remove or alter exhibits that it finds uncomfortable or inconvenient. Instead, the government must work to provide a accurate and comprehensive representation of American history, including the experiences of marginalized communities.
The ruling also highlights the importance of preserving the history of enslaved people and the ongoing legacy of slavery in the United States. As Judge Rufe noted, the removal of the exhibit “conceals crucial information linking the site to the Network to Freedom,” a national network of Underground Railroad sites that teach about abolitionists and escaped slaves.
Read more about the ruling and its implications Here
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