Philadelphia Sues to Reinstall Slavery Exhibit at Independence Park

City of Philadelphia filed a lawsuit on January 23, 2026, against Interior Secretary Doug Burgum and National Park Service Director Jessica Bowron after the NPS removed nine panels documenting slavery at the Independence National Historical Park. The panels had listed the names, including the escaped enslaved woman Oney Judge, of the individuals owned by George and Martha Washington. The removal was prompted by President Donald Trump’s March 2025 executive order requiring federal agencies to review interpretive materials for “accuracy, honesty, and alignment with shared national values.” Critics argue the action erases crucial historical truth and writes a “whitewash” of America’s past. Philadelphia’s suit seeks to reinstate the exhibits and claims that the city’s partnership grants it equal say in design changes.