Slavery Exhibit Removed by Trump Administration Returning to Independence Mall

The exhibit detailing the lives of nine people enslaved by President George Washington will be reinstalled after a legal battle with the city.

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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An exhibit detailing the lives of nine people enslaved by President George Washington in Philadelphia is being reinstalled on Independence Mall, despite an ongoing legal fight between the city and the Trump administration. The exhibit was abruptly removed last month following an executive order by President Donald Trump, but the city sued for its return and a federal judge ordered its full restoration by Friday.

Why it matters

The removal of the slavery exhibit was seen as an attempt by the Trump administration to erase certain aspects of American history, particularly the history of enslaved people. The restoration of the exhibit is a victory for those who believe it is important to acknowledge and learn from the difficult parts of the nation's past.

The details

The exhibit includes biographical details on the nine people enslaved by George and Martha Washington at the presidential mansion in Philadelphia. Mayor Cherelle Parker, the first Black woman elected mayor of Philadelphia, visited the site on Thursday to oversee the restoration work. The U.S. Attorney's Office is appealing the federal judge's ruling ordering the exhibit's return, but the restoration work is expected to be completed by Friday.

  • The exhibit was abruptly removed last month following an executive order by President Donald Trump.
  • A federal judge set a Friday deadline for the full restoration of the exhibit.
  • The restoration work began on Thursday and is expected to continue through Friday.

The players

Cherelle Parker

The first Black woman to be elected mayor of Philadelphia.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States who issued an executive order calling for the removal of the slavery exhibit.

Cynthia Rufe

The Senior U.S. District Judge who ruled in favor of the city and ordered the restoration of the exhibit.

George Washington

The former President of the United States who enslaved the nine people featured in the exhibit.

Martha Washington

The wife of George Washington, who also enslaved the nine people featured in the exhibit.

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What they’re saying

“I want you to know I'm grateful.”

— Cherelle Parker, Mayor of Philadelphia

“It's our honor.”

— National Park Service worker

“Although many people feel strongly about this (slavery exhibit) one way, other people may disagree or feel strongly another way. Ultimately, the government gets to choose the message it wants to convey.”

— Gregory in den Berken, Assistant U.S. Attorney (Yahoo News)

“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 (Yahoo News)

“When the exhibit was taken down, it was very devastating for the city. It was very devastating to me personally. I value the visibility of Black history, which is American history. So I'm really happy that it's restored.”

— Jabari Cherry, Philadelphia resident (Yahoo News)

What’s next

The U.S. Attorney's Office is appealing the federal judge's ruling ordering the restoration of the exhibit, but the restoration work is expected to be completed by Friday.

The takeaway

The restoration of the slavery exhibit at Independence Mall is a victory for those who believe it is important to acknowledge and learn from the difficult parts of America's history, even if it challenges the preferred narrative of those in power. This case highlights the ongoing struggle to ensure that the full and accurate history of the United States, including the stories of marginalized communities, is preserved and shared with the public.