What Dismantling Slavery Exhibit on Independence Mall Really Means episode artwork

EPISODE · Jan 26, 2026 · 30 MIN

What Dismantling Slavery Exhibit on Independence Mall Really Means

from City Cast Philly · host City Cast

National Park Service workers used crowbars and wrenches last week to dismantle exhibits that mentioned slavery at the President's House at Independence National Historical Park. It took 90 minutes to remove the signs honoring nine people enslaved at this home by President George Washington. The city immediately filed a lawsuit demanding the exhibits be reinstalled. We knew this was coming; we just didn’t know when. Under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump last year, material at national monuments, museums, and parks that “inappropriately disparage Americans” were slated for removal. At the time, host Trenae Nuri spoke with the Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, historiographer of the global African Methodist Church. Until last year, he was the pastor at Mother Bethel AME Church just a few blocks away. In light of last week’s events, today we’re listening back on that conversation.  Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly Call or text us: 215-259-8170 We’re also on Instagram: @citycastphilly You can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Philly Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

National Park Service workers used crowbars and wrenches last week to dismantle exhibits that mentioned slavery at the President's House at Independence National Historical Park. It took 90 minutes to remove the signs honoring nine people enslaved at this home by President George Washington. The city immediately filed a lawsuit demanding the exhibits be reinstalled. We knew this was coming; we just didn’t know when. Under an executive order issued by President Donald Trump last year, material at national monuments, museums, and parks that “inappropriately disparage Americans” were slated for removal. At the time, host Trenae Nuri spoke with the Rev. Mark Kelly Tyler, historiographer of the global African Methodist Church. Until last year, he was the pastor at Mother Bethel AME Church just a few blocks away. In light of last week’s events, today we’re listening back on that conversation.  Get Philly news & events in your inbox with our newsletter: Hey Philly Call or text us: 215-259-8170 We’re also on Instagram: @citycastphilly You can support this show and get great perks by becoming a City Cast Philly Neighbor at membership.citycast.fm. Advertise on the podcast or in the newsletter: citycast.fm/advertise

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What Dismantling Slavery Exhibit on Independence Mall Really Means

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This episode is 30 minutes long.

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This episode was published on January 26, 2026.

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National Park Service workers used crowbars and wrenches last week to dismantle exhibits that mentioned slavery at the President's House at Independence National Historical Park. It took 90 minutes to remove the signs honoring nine people enslaved...

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