Panels about George Washington’s slaves reinstalled at President’s House site on Independence Mall in Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA (WPVI) — Panels telling the stories of nine people enslaved by George Washington were reinstalled Thursday at the President’s House on Independence Mall in Philadelphia, nearly a month after they were removed and placed in storage.
Crews with the National Park Service began putting the 34 panels back on the walls around 11 a.m., returning the displays out of the shadows of storage and back in plain sight.
Aaron Johnson, of Brewerytown, watching the work, said, “It needed to be put back.”
Sheila Alexander-Reid, executive director of PHL Diversity, added, “We’re watching history being put back in its rightful place.”
Chopper 6 video of workers restoring slavery displays at President’s house
The Trump administration had deemed the panels “disparaging,” prompting their removal.
The city of Philadelphia sued and won, clearing the way for the exhibit’s return.
“The fact that Philadelphia insists on putting this up tells a lot about Philadelphia. It’s who we are,” said Alexander-Reid.
The dispute drew national attention, and visitors from out of state stopped to witness the reinstallation.
“It’s horrifying that they tried to be taken away,” said Aaron DeCarlo from Rochester, New York.
“I think it’s amazing. And what a better place for this to happen than in the shadows of Independence Hall. It’s a testament to the power of the people,” said Ann Lucas of Charlottesville, Virginia.
RELATED: Trump administration is erasing history and science at national parks, lawsuit argues
Mayor Cherelle Parker visited the site, appearing emotional as she watched workers reinstall the displays.
Later, at another event, she told a crowd, “Today we celebrate the return of our history to the site of the president’s house and exhibit.”
The Avenging the Ancestors Coalition, which led the effort to create and preserve the exhibit, also marked the moment.
“I just want you all to think for a few seconds about what you all have done. Because what you have done is to actually create history,” said coalition founder Michael Coard.
A person moves to photograph the location of the now removed explanatory panels that were part of an exhibit on slavery at President’s House Site in Philadelphia, Jan. 30, 2026.
AP Photo/Matt Rourke
The legal fight, however, is not over. The federal government has filed an emergency motion for a stay, which would block the judge’s ruling from taking effect as the case continues.
That means the panels could still be removed again.
Although the city is celebrating the exhibit’s return, the court battle remains unresolved.
Action News has reached out to the Department of the Interior for comment.
Copyright © 2026 WPVI-TV. All Rights Reserved.
