(PHILADELPHIA, PA, 1/23/26) – The Philadelphia chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-Philadelphia), a chapter of the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today condemned the removal of the slavery exhibit at the President’s House Site in Independence National Historical Park, calling the action an unacceptable attempt to erase vital aspects of American history and dishonor the memory of those who were enslaved by George Washington.
On January 22, 2026, the National Park Service began dismantling informational panels and memorial displays at the President’s House, a site that for years told the story of the nine people enslaved by President George Washington while he lived in Philadelphia. The removal followed an executive directive aimed at reshaping historical exhibits to align with a particular interpretation of national values, an approach that many civil rights advocates argue sanitizes and distorts the historical record.
SEE: Feds dismantle marker honoring people enslaved by George Washington – USA Today
CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu stated:
“Honoring the lives and remembering the experiences of the people enslaved at the President’s House is not an act of division, it is an act of truth, education and justice. To strip away these stories under the guise of ‘protecting shared values’ is nothing less than an attempt to erase uncomfortable but essential chapters of our nation’s history. Our work toward justice and equality demands that we recognize and teach the full, unvarnished truth of our nation’s past.”
The exhibit, titled “The President’s House: Freedom and Slavery in the Making of a New Nation,” has served as one of the few public historical sites to explicitly confront the paradox of liberty and slavery at the founding of the United States. Its removal has drawn widespread condemnation from community leaders, historians, and elected officials who argue that understanding the full scope of American history — including the brutal reality of slavery — is critical to our collective progress.
CAIR-Philadelphia said it stands in solidarity with the City of Philadelphia, advocacy groups, civil rights leaders, and historians who have challenged this action and are currently pursuing legal avenues to restore the exhibit. We urge federal authorities to respect historical truth and preserve educational resources that honor the humanity and contributions of people enslaved in early America.
CAIR is America’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization. Its mission is to enhance the understanding of Islam, protect civil rights, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
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CONTACT: CAIR-Philadelphia Executive Director Ahmet Tekelioglu, atekelioglu@cair.com, 617-401-5397.
