Philadelphia fights to keep slavery exhibit at Independence National Historical Park

Philadelphia has filed a lawsuit against Interior Secretary Burgum and acting National Park Service Director Bowron to block the permanent removal of an exhibit about enslaved people at the President’s House Site in Independence National Historical Park. The city argues a 2006 cooperative agreement requires parties to meet and confer before any exhibit changes, while the removal follows a Trump-era executive order asking federal agencies to review interpretive materials for accuracy. Critics say the move amounts to whitewashing history, as the exhibit detailed the lives of nine enslaved individuals and underscores the site’s role in American history. The National Park Service has not announced what will replace the panels.