Erasure in Action

Before and After Photos

Independence National Historical Park:

Interpretive panels relating to the history of slavery in early America were removed from the President's House site in Independence National Historical Park, located in Philadelphia, PA.   Volunteers have submitted photos of these panels to the SOS Archive page for this park, and some are included below.   These photos can never replace the panels and exhibits, but they help us remember what we have lost.

More information:

• Philadelphia Inquirer, January 22, 2026:  The slavery exhibits at the President’s House have been removed following Trump administration push

• Philadelphia Inquirer, January 22, 2026:  Here are the signs the Trump administration removed from Independence Park

Gateway National Recreation Area:

Volunteers submitted these before-and-after photographs of a display removed from Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge, which is part of Gateway National Recreation Area in New York City.  The Washington Post confirmed the removal on September 20th:  “a display at Jamaica Bay Wildlife Refuge in New York City was taken down for making reference to historical events like slavery, Japanese internment camps and conflicts with Native Americans in describing the park system, according to two people familiar with the matter and photos reviewed by The Post.”

More information:

• Washington Post, September 20, 2025:  National parks remove signs about climate, slavery and Japanese detention:  

Muir Woods National Monument:

Volunteers submitted these before-and-after pictures of the first documented removal/modification of a sign under the Executive Order and Secretarial Order, of a sign called "Saving Muir Woods."  Portions of the sign were reported to be removed from Muir Woods National Monument, CA, in July 2025.

More information on the history of this sign:

• Medium article, 2025:  This Is What Censorship Looks Like in a National Park: The First Park Sign That Came Down

• KQED article, 2025:  What’s Going on With the Muir Woods Exhibit Removal?

• NPS website article, 2023:  History Under Construction

• SF Gate article, 2021:  Muir Woods park staff annotates own signs with historical corrections for racism, misogyny