Philadelphia's Slavery Exhibit Restored at President's House Site

The panels depict the lives of nine people enslaved by George Washington while he was president.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The National Park Service has restored the panels depicting the lives of nine people enslaved by George Washington while he lived in Philadelphia as president. The city of Philadelphia had sued the Interior Department and the Park Service over the removal of the panels in January.

Why it matters

The exhibit at the President's House Site in Philadelphia serves as an important historical reminder of the nation's complex past with slavery, even among its early leaders. The restoration of the panels ensures this history remains accessible to the public.

The details

The panels, which were removed in January by the National Park Service, have now been restored at the President's House Site in Philadelphia. The city had promptly sued the Interior Department and the Park Service over the removal of the exhibit.

  • The panels were removed in January 2026 by the National Park Service.
  • The city of Philadelphia sued the Interior Department and the Park Service shortly after the removal.

The players

National Park Service

The federal agency responsible for managing the President's House Site and the exhibit depicting the lives of people enslaved by George Washington.

City of Philadelphia

The city that sued the Interior Department and the Park Service over the removal of the slavery exhibit panels from the President's House Site.

George Washington

The former U.S. president who enslaved nine people while living in Philadelphia during his presidency.

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What they’re saying

“It feels like history being made again. To have that history taken down is a step back. It wasn't right.”

— Bill Rooney, Chestnut Hill resident

“It's our honor.”

— Unnamed Park Service employee

What’s next

The city of Philadelphia will continue to monitor the restoration process and ensure the exhibit remains in place at the President's House Site.

The takeaway

The restoration of the slavery exhibit panels at the President's House Site in Philadelphia is an important step in preserving the nation's complex history and ensuring this difficult chapter remains accessible to the public.