HARPERS FERRY, W.Va. — Officials at Harpers Ferry National Historical Park are disputing a claim that the Trump administration is ordering them to remove or hide several exhibits related to slavery but acknowledge they have been asked to review exhibits for historical accuracy and context.
Reached for comment, Elizabeth Peace, Public Affairs Department spokesperson told The Panhandle News Network, “The Department of the Interior is implementing Secretary’s Order 3431 to carry out the President’s Executive Order on ‘Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.’ As the President has stated, federal historic sites and institutions should present history that is accurate, honest and reflective of shared national values. Interpretive materials that focus solely on challenging aspects of U.S. history, without acknowledging broader context or national progress, may unintentionally provide an incomplete understanding rather than enrich it.”
The claims were made in a media report cited this week by the West Virginia ACLU which referenced a report by WSAZ-TV that claimed a park employee told them the Trump administration ordered the covering up or removal of certain aspects of the displays. The Sept. 17 report acknowledged news channel had not received confirmation from park officials at the time.
Of a photo of a slave with whip marks on his back that was featured in news coverage, Elizabeth Peace said, “National Park Service sites were not asked to remove this photo. If any interpretive materials are found to have been removed or altered prematurely or in error, the Department will review the circumstances and take corrective action as appropriate.”
“Our goal is accuracy and balance, not removal for its own sake, and we are committed to making corrections if mistakes occur,” Peace said.