Federal appeals court allows revised exhibit at Philadelphia historic site

A federal appeals court ruled that the Department of the Interior may replace exhibit panels at the President’s House site in Philadelphia. The decision reversed a lower court order that had blocked the changes. The panels address the history of slavery at the residence used by Presidents George Washington and John Adams.

The original exhibit was installed more than fifteen years ago through a partnership between the city and the National Park Service. It included a timeline of American slavery and information about nine people enslaved by Washington. In January, crews removed several display panels under a federal directive tied to an executive order on historical content.

Philadelphia filed suit to prevent the removals and initially obtained a court order halting further work. The Department of the Interior appealed that order. On June 18, the appeals court sided with the department, stating that the proposed replacement panels acknowledge the injustices of slavery while recounting the story of the nine enslaved individuals.

Philadelphia Mayor Cherelle Parker stated on social media that the city would pursue every available legal option. Civil rights activist Michael Coard, who helped create the original exhibit, said his group is considering additional legal steps, including a possible request for further review by the full appeals court or a separate complaint.

Current status The site remains partially dismantled.

Local volunteers have been showing visitors printed copies of the removed text while the legal process continues. The city has not issued further official statements beyond the mayor’s earlier remarks. A separate lawsuit in Boston that also involves national park exhibits is still pending.