Slavery Exhibit Returning to Independence Mall After Trump Removal

City of Philadelphia wins legal battle to restore display on enslaved people at President's House site.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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After a legal battle with the Trump administration, the City of Philadelphia is restoring an exhibit on the nine people who were enslaved at the former President's House site on Independence Mall. A federal judge ordered the Interior Department to reinstate the exhibit by Friday, despite an ongoing appeal by the Justice Department.

Why it matters

The exhibit's removal by the Trump administration in 2020 sparked outrage and accusations of whitewashing history. Its return is seen as a victory for preserving the full historical record and acknowledging the role of slavery in the nation's founding.

The details

The exhibit, located at the President's House Site on Independence Mall, depicts the history of the nine enslaved people who lived and worked at the former presidential residence when it was occupied by George Washington and John Adams in the late 18th century. The city had installed the exhibit in 2010 but it was removed by the Trump administration in 2020, leading to a legal fight between the city and the federal government.

  • The exhibit was originally installed by the city in 2010.
  • The Trump administration removed the exhibit in 2020.
  • A federal judge ordered the exhibit's restoration by Friday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Cherelle Parker

The mayor of Philadelphia who visited the site on Thursday to see the restoration work being done.

Cynthia Rufe

The senior U.S. District Judge who issued the order to reinstate the exhibit by Friday, despite an ongoing appeal by the Justice Department.

President's House Site

The location on Independence Mall in Philadelphia where the exhibit depicting the history of enslaved people who lived there during the late 18th century is being restored.

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What’s next

The Justice Department is appealing the judge's order to reinstate the exhibit, so the legal battle may continue.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing efforts to accurately represent and preserve the full history of slavery in America, even when it involves challenging the narratives promoted by past administrations. The restoration of this exhibit is a step towards ensuring that the stories of the enslaved are not erased from the nation's historical record.