Historical sites are more than just tourist destinations; they carry the responsibility of preserving history and reminding us not only of our nation’s triumphs but also its failures. In Philadelphia, the President’s House has stood as a reminder of this, sharing the story of the enslaved people who worked there during George Washington’s presidency. The house offers an account of the hypocrisy entwined with our nation’s founding ideals of equality and freedom.
The honest portrayal of history at the President’s House is now in jeopardy. Several of the site’s displays have been flagged for possible removal by Department of the Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, citing President Donald Trump’s March 27 executive order “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” At the President’s House, exhibits potentially facing removal include accounts of slavery and references to Washington’s enforcement of the Fugitive Slave Act. Though the directive claims to restore accuracy to historical sites, in practice, it sanitizes our nation’s history.
Erasing these stories betrays years of progress toward acknowledging the nation’s past. Visitors to historic sites are entitled to the entire history of the location, including both positive accounts and stories of injustice. Acknowledging uncomfortable truths of the past is crucial to improving understanding and empathy. Further, removing exhibits about slavery implies the history of enslaved people is of lesser value than the history of their oppressors. Only by facing history in its entirety can we begin to educate future generations to recognize injustice, learn from it and pave the way towards a more equitable society.
Historical education and reflection are essential in upholding democracy. We should not encourage complacency over progress and suggest that having pride in one’s nation is contingent on never being critical of it. In fact, it is the strength of our democracy that lies in its capacity for correction. By acknowledging the full truth of our past, we ensure that future generations inherit a democracy that is resilient enough to face its contradictions and grow from them.