NPS Removes Sign Explaining Racist Past of Historic Fountain's Namesake

Neighbor sues for explanation after Trump administration takes down sign detailing controversial beliefs of former senator Francis G. Newlands.

Apr. 15, 2026 at 12:34am

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A cinematic painting of the Newlands Memorial Fountain in Chevy Chase, Maryland, with the fountain itself bathed in warm, diagonal sunlight and surrounded by deep shadows, conveying a sense of historical weight and controversy.The Newlands Memorial Fountain in Chevy Chase stands as a symbol of the ongoing national debate over how to properly contextualize and represent historical figures with discriminatory views.Chevy Chase Today

A neighbor in Chevy Chase, Maryland has filed a lawsuit against the National Park Service (NPS) after the agency removed a sign that explained the racist and anti-immigrant views of former Senator Francis G. Newlands, the namesake of a historic fountain in the community. The sign had been installed as a compromise after years of efforts to remove Newlands' name from the fountain due to his well-documented white supremacist beliefs.

Why it matters

The removal of the sign explaining Newlands' racist past is seen by many as an attempt to whitewash history and avoid acknowledging the complex and divisive legacy of public figures who promoted exclusion and discrimination. This action is part of a broader national debate over how to properly contextualize and represent historical figures with problematic views.

The details

The Newlands Memorial Fountain in Chevy Chase Circle was dedicated in 1938 to Senator Francis G. Newlands, a powerful lawmaker and businessman credited with the development of Chevy Chase. Newlands is widely described as anti-immigrant and a confirmed racist who argued for restricting immigration and voting rights for African Americans. Several years ago, a compromise was reached to install a panel detailing Newlands' beliefs, but the Trump administration removed that sign late last year without explanation.

  • The Newlands Memorial Fountain was dedicated in 1938.
  • In 2022, a compromise was reached to install a panel detailing Newlands' racist beliefs.
  • Late in 2023, the Trump administration removed the explanatory sign without explanation.

The players

Francis G. Newlands

A former U.S. Senator who the Newlands Memorial Fountain in Chevy Chase is named after. Newlands was widely known as an anti-immigrant and white supremacist who argued for restricting immigration and voting rights for African Americans.

David Sobel

A neighbor in Chevy Chase who lives just blocks from the Newlands Memorial Fountain and has filed a lawsuit against the National Park Service to find out why the sign explaining Newlands' racist beliefs was removed.

National Park Service (NPS)

The federal agency that manages the Newlands Memorial Fountain and removed the sign explaining the controversial history of its namesake without providing an explanation.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen

A Democratic U.S. Senator from Maryland who criticized the Trump administration's decision to remove the sign, saying it was an attempt to "whitewash history" and avoid acknowledging the truth about Newlands' racist views.

Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton

A Democratic U.S. Representative for the District of Columbia who called for the complete removal of all references to Newlands from Chevy Chase Circle, saying there is "no redeeming value in preserving an honorific to an avowed and unrepentant racist."

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What they’re saying

“We clearly know that wasn't true. He was a white supremacist. He wanted to eliminate immigrants and people of color from the United States. So, this is not an accurate representation of who this person was.”

— David Sobel, Chevy Chase Resident

“This Administration has since removed that sign, once again choosing to whitewash history. This Administration is afraid of the truth. Instead of glorifying those who promoted exclusion and division, we should be working together to build communities that support growth and economic inclusion for all.”

— Sen. Chris Van Hollen, U.S. Senator, Maryland

“It feels like book burning. History is being disappeared. And it's the history of this neighborhood, so it hits close to home. We all know that this assault on history is going on generally, but here we have a concrete example of how it's being applied. And it's happening right here in this neighborhood.”

— David Sobel, Chevy Chase Resident

What’s next

The judge in the lawsuit filed by David Sobel will decide whether the National Park Service must provide an explanation for removing the sign detailing Newlands' racist past.

The takeaway

This incident highlights the ongoing national debate over how to properly acknowledge and contextualize the complex legacies of historical figures with problematic views. It raises questions about the responsibility of public agencies to provide transparency and accurately represent the full history, even when it involves acknowledging the racist beliefs of those honored in public spaces.