Judge Orders U.S. Government to Restore Exhibit on George Washington's 9 Slaves

The exhibit about the enslaved individuals must be reinstated at Washington's former residence in Philadelphia.

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A judge has ordered the U.S. government to restore an exhibit about nine enslaved individuals owned by George Washington at his former residence in Philadelphia. The exhibit was previously removed under the Trump administration.

Why it matters

The exhibit's removal sparked outrage from historians and civil rights advocates who argued it was an attempt to whitewash the history of slavery and the Founding Fathers. The ruling is seen as an important step in acknowledging the full history of the nation's origins.

The details

The exhibit, which was located at Washington's former home in Philadelphia known as the President's House, featured information and artifacts related to the nine enslaved individuals who lived and worked there during Washington's presidency. The Trump administration had the exhibit removed in 2017, but a federal judge has now ordered it to be reinstated.

  • The exhibit was originally installed in 2010.
  • The Trump administration removed the exhibit in 2017.
  • The federal judge ordered the exhibit's restoration in February 2026.

The players

George Washington

The first President of the United States, who owned nine enslaved individuals at his residence in Philadelphia during his presidency.

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, whose administration removed the exhibit about Washington's enslaved individuals in 2017.

Federal Judge

The judge who has ordered the U.S. government to restore the exhibit about George Washington's enslaved individuals.

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What they’re saying

“Removing this exhibit was an attempt to whitewash history and deny the role of slavery in our nation's founding.”

— Historian (Philadelphia Inquirer)

“We must confront the full truth of our history, even when it's uncomfortable. Restoring this exhibit is an important step.”

— Civil Rights Advocate (NPR)

What’s next

The U.S. government has 90 days to comply with the judge's order and fully restore the exhibit at the President's House in Philadelphia.

The takeaway

This ruling underscores the ongoing efforts to ensure that the history of slavery and its role in the founding of the United States is accurately portrayed and not whitewashed. It represents an important victory for historians and civil rights advocates seeking to confront the nation's complex past.