Court Orders Reinstatement of Philadelphia Slavery Exhibit

A federal judge in Pennsylvania ordered the National Park Service to reinstall the slavery exhibit at Philadelphia’s Independence National Historical Park pending the outcome of litigation after the city sued to challenge its removal. The ruling, invoking Orwell’s 1984, contends the government cannot rewrite history and requires restoring the site to its status as of January 21, 2026. The exhibit documents nine enslaved people connected to George Washington, including Oney Judge, and the decision underscores ongoing dispute over how history is presented at national sites.