Signs depicting images related to slavery have been removed from the President’s House in Philadelphia, a historic site overseen by the National Park Service. The President’s House, located at 6th and Market Streets, served as the residence of Presidents George Washington and John Adams before the White House was built. The removed exhibit specifically featured depictions of nine enslaved African descendants owned by President Washington.
Dispute Over Removal
The removal of the displays followed direction from the Trump administration. The City of Philadelphia responded by filing a lawsuit in federal court on Thursday, seeking the reinstatement of the signs. The city’s complaint alleges a breach of “prior agreements” with the National Park Service, stipulating that disputes should be resolved through “informal fashion through communication and consultation…or other forms of non-binding alternative dispute resolution.”
Mayor Cherelle Parker stated that the 2006 agreement requires both parties to “meet and confer” before any changes are made to the exhibit. City Solicitor Renee Garcia and her team are currently working on the matter, and the city intends to provide updates as the situation develops. Philadelphia City Council President Kenyatta Johnson characterized the removal as an attempt to “whitewash American history,” asserting that “history cannot be erased simply because it is uncomfortable.”
Historical Context
The 2006 agreement between Philadelphia and the National Park Service stipulated that the exhibit should reflect the experiences of “all those who lived in the house while it was used as the executive mansion, including the nine enslaved Africans brought by George Washington.” The exhibit opened in 2010. The removal of the signs is described as part of a broader pattern of actions taken by the Trump administration to alter the presentation of American history.
In January 2025, an executive order was signed directing the U.S. Board on Geographic Names to prioritize “visionary and patriotic Americans” when naming national treasures, and the name of Denali in Alaska was changed back to Mount McKinley. The following month, references to transgender people were removed from the Stonewall National Monument website, changing “LGBTQ+ community” to “LGB.”
Further action came in March 2025 with the signing of the executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” This order asserts that the nation’s legacy is being “reconstructed as inherently racist, sexist, oppressive, or otherwise irredeemably flawed.” A spokesperson for the Interior Department stated the displays were removed to comply with this order, following a review of interpretive materials to ensure “accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values.”
What Happens Next?
The lawsuit filed by Philadelphia could lead to a court ruling mandating the reinstallation of the signs. Alternatively, the parties could engage in the “informal fashion through communication and consultation” outlined in their 2006 agreement. It is also possible the case could be settled out of court. The Interior Department’s response, which encouraged Philadelphia to focus on local issues, suggests a potentially contentious path forward. Further legal action or continued negotiation are both possible outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
What prompted the removal of the signs?
The signs were removed following an edict from the Trump administration and in accordance with an executive order directing federal agencies to review interpretive materials for alignment with “shared national values.”
What does the City of Philadelphia allege in its lawsuit?
The city alleges that the National Park Service and the Interior Department did not engage in required consultation before making “unilateral changes” to the President’s House exhibit, violating a 2006 agreement.
What was the original intent of the exhibit?
Philadelphia and the National Park Service agreed in 2006 to reflect the experiences of all who lived in the President’s House, including the nine enslaved Africans brought by George Washington, and the exhibit opened in 2010.
How do you think historical sites should balance presenting a complete and accurate history with potentially sensitive or uncomfortable truths?
