President Donald Trump has ordered the removal of slavery-related images and exhibits from U.S. national parks, sparking controversy across the country. Among the displays under review is the Civil War–era photograph “The Scourged Back,” a searing 1863 portrait of Gordon, an enslaved man who escaped to freedom, his back scarred by brutal whippings. The image has long stood as one of the most powerful visual testaments to the realities of slavery.
The directive, issued through a March 27 executive order, instructs the Interior Department to eliminate historical materials that Trump describes as “divisive” or “corrosive ideology.” According to reports, the order applies not only to depictions of slavery but also to exhibits on racism, sexism, gay rights, and the treatment of Indigenous people.
The National Park Service acknowledged the review, saying that highlighting only negative aspects of history could “distort understanding” rather than broaden it. The White House confirmed that no final decision has yet been made, but the reviews remain active.
Pennsylvania’s Historic Parks in Question
The order raises concerns about the future of Pennsylvania’s national parks and historic sites, many of which directly preserve the stories of slavery and freedom.
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Independence National Historical Park in Philadelphia, often called “America’s most historic square mile,” includes exhibits about slavery in George Washington’s presidential household. The President’s House Site tells the stories of the enslaved Africans who lived and worked there, alongside the narratives of liberty and independence.
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Gettysburg National Military Park, a key Civil War site, highlights slavery as the root cause of the conflict and includes materials explaining how enslaved people sought freedom amidst the war.
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Valley Forge National Historical Park interprets the Revolutionary War struggle for liberty, where the contrast between freedom for some and bondage for others is a central teaching point.
If Trump’s directive is fully enforced, exhibits at these Pennsylvania sites could be altered or removed — fundamentally changing how millions of visitors encounter American history.
National Debate Over Historical Truth
Trump has previously accused the Smithsonian of being “out of control” and overly focused on slavery, pledging to oversee a review of its content. His latest move directs Vice President J.D. Vance, a member of the Smithsonian Board of Regents, to oversee the removal of what Trump calls “race-centered ideology” across Smithsonian museums, research centers, and even the National Zoo.
Critics — including historians, educators, and civil rights groups — warn that the directive represents an unprecedented attempt to control how the federal government presents the nation’s history. They argue that erasing slavery from the narrative undermines public understanding and dishonors the memory of those who suffered and fought for freedom.
As the review continues, questions loom large for Pennsylvania and the nation: Should America’s parks and museums preserve the full story of its past, including its darkest chapters, or present only the triumphant ideals?
