Federal Court Rules on Slavery Exhibit Panels Removal

A federal appeals court has backed the Trump administration’s choice to eliminate exhibit panels that discussed the history of slavery at the site of the former presidential mansion in Philadelphia.

Critics claim this move is an attempt to diminish the historical significance of slavery, particularly at a location where Presidents George Washington and John Adams once resided.

One activist mentioned, “This decision seems to stem from the fact that this historic mansion serves as a memorial to the nine enslaved individuals who were held there against Washington’s wishes.”

A lower court had required the National Park Service (NPS) to restore the panels, but a panel from the 3rd Circuit Court of Appeals unanimously decided on Thursday that the previous ruling should be overturned.

The appeals court indicated that the lower court had misinterpreted the agreement between NPS and Philadelphia, and noted that the new facility provides “rich historical context.” The court asserted that the replacement facility emphasizes significant events at the Presidential Palace and other areas of Independence National Historical Park.

The removal of the slavery panels took place in January 2026 at the corner of Sixth Avenue and Market Street in Old Town.

Paul Steinke from the Preservation Alliance of Greater Philadelphia expressed disappointment, calling it a “sad day” in American history. “This action appears to disregard the history of the nine enslaved individuals who were held against the will of Washington and Martha, and this is the only federal site that commemorates America’s slavery history,” he stated to CBS News.

Philadelphia has initiated a lawsuit against NPS, alleging a failure to adhere to a contract that mandated proper “communication and consultation” prior to alterations to the site.

District Judge Cynthia Roof, appointed by George W. Bush, began her ruling against the administration in February with a quote from George Orwell’s *1984*.

In response to the initial ruling, an NPS spokesperson criticized Philadelphia. “We suggest that Philadelphia focus on reducing unemployment and addressing problematic cashless bail policies, rather than pursuing frivolous lawsuits that undermine the courageous Founding Fathers who outlined a glorious path for the United States,” the statement remarked.