Judge Orders Restoration of George Washington Slavery Exhibit in Philadelphia

Ruling blocks Trump administration's removal of display detailing lives of enslaved people at Washington's former home

Published on Feb. 18, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered the restoration of an exhibit at George Washington's former home in Philadelphia that details the lives of nine people enslaved by the first U.S. president. The exhibit was removed last month by the Trump administration, which cited an executive order aimed at 'restoring truth and sanity to American history' at national parks and landmarks. The judge ruled that the federal government does not have the power to 'dissemble and disassemble historical truths' and compared the administration's actions to the 'Ministry of Truth' in George Orwell's '1984'.

Why it matters

The Philadelphia exhibit is part of a broader effort by the Trump administration to remove content related to the history of enslaved people, LGBTQ+ individuals, and Native Americans from national parks and monuments. The ruling is seen as a victory for historical accuracy and transparency in the interpretation of America's past at federal sites.

The details

The city of Philadelphia sued in January after the National Park Service removed explanatory panels from Independence National Historical Park, which was home to George and Martha Washington and nine enslaved individuals during the 1790s. U.S. District Judge Cynthia Rufe, appointed by Republican President George W. Bush, ordered that all materials be restored to their original condition while the legal challenge proceeds. The exhibit, established two decades ago, featured biographical details of the nine enslaved people, including Oney Judge, who escaped to New Hampshire in 1796.

  • The exhibit was removed last month by the Trump administration.
  • The city of Philadelphia sued in January after the removal.
  • The judge's ruling came on Presidents Day 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The former U.S. president whose administration ordered the removal of the exhibit.

Cynthia Rufe

The U.S. District Judge who ruled that the exhibit must be restored, comparing the Trump administration's actions to the 'Ministry of Truth' in George Orwell's '1984'.

Oney Judge

One of the nine people enslaved by the Washingtons who escaped from their Philadelphia house in 1796 and fled to New Hampshire, a free state.

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What they’re saying

“The federal government does not have the power to 'dissemble and disassemble historical truths.'”

— Cynthia Rufe, U.S. District Judge

“We successfully resisted an attempt to whitewash our history.”

— Malcolm Kenyatta, Pennsylvania State Representative

What’s next

The ruling does not specify a timeline for restoration, and federal officials have the option to appeal the decision.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing debate over how to accurately and transparently interpret America's complex history, especially the role of slavery, at national parks and historic sites. The judge's invocation of Orwell's '1984' underscores the gravity of the situation and the importance of preserving historical integrity in the face of political interference.