Federal Judge Orders Restoration of 'Freedom and Slavery' Exhibit in Philadelphia

National Park workers begin reinstalling glass panels at the President's House site, but the Trump administration has appealed the ruling.

Published on Feb. 20, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered the Trump administration to restore the 'Freedom and Slavery' exhibit at the President's House on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, which had been dismantled in January to comply with a presidential executive order. National Park workers have begun reinstalling the 34 glass panels that tell a fuller story of George Washington's time in Philadelphia, including the fact that he enslaved nine people while living there. However, the Trump administration has appealed the ruling and is asking a higher court to pause the restoration pending the appeal.

Why it matters

The fight over the exhibit is part of a larger battle over how America's history of slavery and civil rights is portrayed and remembered. Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Nikole Hannah-Jones, creator of The 1619 Project, says this is about more than just erasing uncomfortable history - it's part of an effort to downplay the role of slavery and racism in the country's past.

The details

On January 21st, the National Park Service dismantled the 'Freedom and Slavery' exhibit at the President's House on Independence Mall to comply with a presidential executive order calling for the removal of federal displays that 'disparage' Americans, past or present. The City of Philadelphia sued the same day, setting off a legal battle over how this history should be told. On Thursday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore the exhibit, and National Park workers began reinstalling the 34 glass panels. However, the Trump administration has appealed the ruling and is asking a higher court to pause the restoration pending the appeal.

  • On January 21st, the National Park Service dismantled the 'Freedom and Slavery' exhibit.
  • On Thursday, a federal judge ordered the Trump administration to restore the exhibit.
  • On Thursday morning, National Park workers began reinstalling the glass panels.

The players

Nikole Hannah-Jones

Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of The 1619 Project, who says the fight over the exhibit is part of a larger battle over how America's history of slavery and civil rights is portrayed.

Trump administration

Has appealed the federal judge's ruling ordering the restoration of the 'Freedom and Slavery' exhibit and is asking a higher court to pause the restoration pending the appeal.

City of Philadelphia

Sued the Trump administration on the same day the National Park Service dismantled the exhibit, setting off a legal battle over how this history should be told.

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What they’re saying

“This fight over the panels at the President's House is not just about erasing uncomfortable history, it's part of something bigger.”

— Nikole Hannah-Jones, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and creator of The 1619 Project (whyy.org)

What’s next

The Trump administration has appealed the federal judge's ruling and is asking a higher court to pause the restoration of the 'Freedom and Slavery' exhibit pending the appeal.

The takeaway

The battle over the 'Freedom and Slavery' exhibit is part of a larger effort to downplay the role of slavery and racism in America's history, raising concerns about how the country's complex past is portrayed and remembered.