The President’s House site in particular but also other Independence National Historical Park (INHP) sites are under revisionism threat by the current administration. The process of removing flagged materials deemed inappropriate was scheduled to begin September 17. As of October 20, no changes had been made to the signage in the Park.
For the past several years, particularly since Covid, the Board of the Association of Philadelphia Tour Guides (APT) has been making a concerted effort to provide our members with the information they need to tell accurate, inclusive history. As an association of tour guides, we unequivocally stand for whole, complete, warts-and-all truth telling in history. The history of the United States is the history of ALL Americans.
What can APT do? We came up with some ideas at a brainstorming meeting.
— Organize ‘teach-ins’ to tell Black history at INHP. Our next event, HISTORY MATTERS: Free Talks with Tour Guides, is Saturday, October 25. Guides will be stationed at five spots around Independence National Historical Park (INHP): President’s House, Liberty Bell, Congress Hall, Independence Hall, and Old City Hall to tell 5-10 minute spiels on Black and other underrepresented history as people congregate. The first one was September 20 (Read the press release). All are welcome!
— Offer complimentary tours to city, state, and federal elected officials. Twenty-three guides offered to give free tours to City Council members as well as state and federal house and senate representatives for the Philadelphia area. Gift certificates have gone out to all of them (55 total) along with the APT statement in support of truth telling in history and a list of suggestions to improve Philly for the “Ring It On” celebrations of 2026.
— A group of APT members worked together to prepare a statement to post on the APT website and share with elected officials. Read it here.
— Before the August monthly meeting, APT member Charlene Mires led a tour of the President’s House site, paying particular attention to the exhibits flagged for possible removal. It was well-attended – check out the photos!
These ideas are probably not going to change the presidential administration’s decisions, but they give APT opportunities to showcase our members’ talents while promoting true, complicated, nuanced history in our favorite national park. Bigger advocacy efforts are being led by ATAC, Sierra Club, and other groups – APT will join in their efforts for greater impact whenever possible.
Additional Information:
-
- City Council condemns President Trump’s plans to alter President’s House Site slavery exhibit
- In Philadelphia, opponents gather for silent protest to administration’s plans to remove President’s House exhibits. On September 19, organizers from ATAC held a vigil and attempted to present Interior Secretary Doug Burgum with a letter asking the administration not to censor history. APT member Stephen Pierce attempts to address the secretary.
- APT Truth Talks get a shout out in the City Cast “Hey Philly” Daily Guide (scroll down to “National Park Service to Remove Several Exhibits Depicting Slavery”).
- National Park to remove photo of enslaved man’s scars, Washington Post article that includes information on Independence National Historical Park (INHP)
- Philly slave memorial supporters vow to fight as its fate could be decided soon, featuring members of ATAC and Mijuel Johnson of APT corporate member The Black Journey (on September 13 ATAC rally).
- Removing or editing Philly slavery exhibits is ‘un-American’ 45 local historical groups tell Trump’s interior secretary – APT is a signatory to this letter prepared and circulated by the Preservation Alliance.
- Philly activists rally to protect President’s House history as Trump deadline to remove exhibits depicting slavery nears, September 13
- The President’s House site overflows with dichotomies. Here’s how we can tell all of its sweeping and incongruous history.
- DAG and @kellymaielloarchitects teamed up to address the administration’s attack on the President’s House exhibit
- Coalition makes plan for if slavery memorial is removed from Independence Mall
- Trump’s attempts to hide the unpleasant truths about our actual history are the real disparagement
- The future of more than a dozen slavery displays at Independence Park remains in limbo as Trump’s review deadline passes
- Exploring, Enjoying, and Protecting our National Parks – Sierra Club blog post on day of action earlier in August at Valley Forge Park
- Trump’s attempts to hide the unpleasant truths about our actual history are the real disparagement – 8/14/25 Inquirer Article
ATAC Advocacy
Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), the organization that spearheaded getting the memorial built at the President’s House site, has been advocating for the integrity of the site.
—Activism and Design: The President’s House/Slavery Memorial Site, November 12, 5:30 pm at Center for Design Philadelphia, 1218 Arch Street, free. Avenging The Ancestors Coalition founder Michael Coard and Kelly Maiello Architects principal Troy Leonard explore the creation of Independence Mall’s slavery memorial – from grassroots activism to architectural design – and discuss recent challenges to the site’s integrity. Light refreshments served. Registration requested.
— In Philadelphia, opponents gather for silent protest to administration’s plans to remove President’s House exhibits. On September 19, organizers from ATAC held a vigil and attempted to present Interior Secretary Doug Burgum with a letter asking the administration not to censor history. APT member Stephen Pierce attempts to address the secretary.
— Coalition strategizes how to protect President’s House Site – ATAC held a public town hall as the administration plans to remove materials it finds ‘inappropriately disparage’ American history. APT member Stephen Pierce gets a shout out! Read a summary of the meeting by APT member Bill Rooney.
— Philly activists rally to protect President’s House history as Trump deadline to remove exhibits depicting slavery nears, September 13. Another shout out for APT member Stephen Pierce!
— Coalition strategizes how to protect President’s House Site – ATAC held a public town hall as the administration plans to remove materials it finds ‘inappropriately disparage’ American history (September 3). APT member Stephen Pierce gets a shout out! Read a summary of the meeting by APT member Bill Rooney.
— ATAC rally on August 2. Our own Mijuel Johnson of APT corporate member The Black Journey was one of the speakers. Check out the photos and read a member’s account of the event.