The National Park Service on July 15 installed new interpretive signs at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia’s Independence Park, marking a significant change in how the site presents the legacy of George Washington and the nation’s founders. The updated panels replace an exhibit that had drawn criticism for its heavy focus on slavery and its critical tone toward America’s early leaders.
The move reflects a broader national debate over how to balance the complexities of American history, with some activists calling for a more critical approach and others urging a nuanced, traditional narrative.
The President’s House, largely destroyed in 1832, served as the residence for both George Washington and John Adams during the nation’s formative years. The previous exhibit, developed with input from groups such as the Avenging the Ancestors Coalition (ATAC), concentrated on Washington’s ownership of slaves and described his actions as “deplorable” and “profoundly disturbing.” ATAC founder Michael Coard has publicly called July Fourth a celebration of “rapes, castrations, lynchings, and enslavement,” and has labeled those who celebrate it as “traitors” who “embrace whiteness.”
Changes in Historical Interpretation
The new signs, praised by 3rd U.S. Circuit Court Judge Thomas Hardiman as “full of historical context,” present a more comprehensive view of the site’s history. They acknowledge Washington’s complex relationship with slavery, noting his discomfort with the institution and his desire to see it abolished, while also recognizing that his wealth was tied to slave labor. The panels state that Washington “signed legislation that both upheld and limited slavery,” including the ban on slavery in the Northwest Territory, and highlight his role in drafting the Fairfax Resolves, which called for ending the slave trade.
“These new panels are full of historical context.”
— Thomas Hardiman, 3rd U.S. Circuit Court Judge
Unlike the previous exhibit, the new signs address the Civil War, quoting Abraham Lincoln’s view of slavery as “a vast moral evil” and noting that it took Lincoln and the Civil War to end slavery in the United States. The panels also clarify the impact of the Constitution’s three-fifths compromise, explaining that slaveholding delegates wanted enslaved people counted as whole persons to boost Southern political power, rather than to recognize their full humanity.
Broader Historical Coverage
Beyond the issue of slavery, the new signage expands on the site’s broader historical significance. The panels recount that British General William Howe used the house as his headquarters during the Revolutionary War, that Benedict Arnold lived there while courting Peggy Shippen, and that Washington was a guest of Robert Morris during the Constitutional Convention. These details were absent from the prior exhibit.
The updated signs continue to name and provide biographical information about the enslaved people who lived at the house. They also mention that some slaves were able to explore Philadelphia and occasionally attended the theater, with Washington purchasing tickets for them. This claim, which ATAC’s Coard has criticized, is supported by Washington biographer Ron Chernow, who cites household accounts documenting such expenses.
Activist Response and Ongoing Debate
ATAC and its founder Michael Coard have been vocal critics of efforts to present the founders in a positive light, arguing that such narratives downplay the realities of slavery and oppression. In an amicus brief, ATAC described its role as “embedded” in the development of the earlier exhibit. Coard has continued to argue in public commentary that celebrating July Fourth ignores the suffering of enslaved people, a position he reiterated in the Philadelphia Tribune.
The White House’s recent report on the Smithsonian Institution criticized the previous approach to historical exhibits, suggesting that some museum staff “don’t want you to love your country.” Supporters of the new signs argue that the updated panels offer greater nuance and accuracy, while critics maintain that they risk minimizing the injustices of the past. Officials involved in the exhibit update have not publicly addressed these criticisms.
The new signs remain in place at the President’s House Site, with public debate over their content ongoing.
