Slavery Exhibit Returning to Independence Mall After Trump Removal

Federal judge orders restoration of exhibit on enslaved people at George Washington's former home in Philadelphia

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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A federal judge has ordered the restoration of an exhibit on the lives of the nine people enslaved at the former President's House in Philadelphia, which was removed by the Trump administration. The city of Philadelphia and other supporters of the exhibit sued the federal government, and the judge granted an injunction requiring the materials to be put back in place while the lawsuit proceeds.

Why it matters

The exhibit's removal by the Trump administration was seen as an attempt to revise historical narratives, with the judge comparing it to the dystopian '1984' novel. The restoration of the exhibit is viewed as an important step in preserving the historical integrity of the site and ensuring that the stories of the enslaved people are properly represented.

The details

Workers began restoring the exhibit on Thursday, after a federal judge set a Friday deadline for the Interior Department to do so. The judge ruled that the federal government does not have the power to 'dissemble and disassemble historical truths' at National Park Service properties.

  • The exhibit was removed by the Trump administration last month.
  • A federal judge set a Friday deadline for the restoration of the exhibit.
  • Workers began restoring the exhibit on Thursday, February 19, 2026.

The players

Cherelle Parker

The mayor of Philadelphia who visited the site on Thursday and thanked the workers for their efforts.

Cynthia Rufe

A senior U.S. District Judge who granted the injunction ordering the restoration of the exhibit and compared the Trump administration's actions to the dystopian '1984' novel.

George Washington

The former U.S. president who enslaved the nine people whose lives were depicted in the exhibit.

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What they’re saying

“If the President's House is left dismembered throughout this dispute, so too is the history it recounts. Worse yet, the potential of having the exhibits replaced by an alternative script — a plausible assumption at this time — would be an even more permanent rejection of the site's historical integrity, and irreparable.”

— Cynthia Rufe, Senior U.S. District Judge (The Associated Press)

What’s next

The lawsuit between the city of Philadelphia and the federal government over the exhibit will continue to proceed in court.

The takeaway

This case highlights the ongoing tension between preserving historical narratives and the political agendas of those in power. The restoration of the exhibit is a victory for those who believe in the importance of accurately representing the experiences of enslaved people in American history.