Protecting the Historical Record Protects Our Future

The recent controversy surrounding the removal of dozens of exhibits from National Park Service sites raises an important question. Not who controls or interprets history, but why would anyone seek to remove historically accurate information in the first place.

According to court filings, the Trump administration removed at least 51 exhibits from 37 National Park Service sites as part of an executive order targeting displays deemed to “inappropriately disparage Americans past or living.” Among the removed materials were exhibits discussing George Washington’s ownership of enslaved people and displays addressing climate change.

Supporters argue these changes are necessary to combat what they view as biased or revisionist interpretations of American history. Critics argue the removals represent an effort to selectively erase facts that conflict with preferred political narratives.

Regardless of where one stands politically, a more fundamental issue remains. History is not a campaign advertisement. Its purpose is not to make us feel good about ourselves; it is to tell us what happened.

The good, the bad, and everything in between.

America’s history is extraordinary. It includes remarkable achievements in science, industry, democracy, civil rights, innovation, and human freedom. It also includes slavery, discrimination, political corruption, environmental mistakes, broken promises, and moments when the nation failed to live up to its own ideals.

Both are true. And a mature society should be capable of acknowledging both. Removing historically accurate information does not change history. It simply changes what future generations are allowed to learn about it.

That should concern Americans regardless of political affiliation. A historical fact does not become false because it is uncomfortable. A document does not lose its value because it reflects poorly on a respected figure. An event does not disappear because someone wishes it had not happened.

The proper response to historical facts is not removal. It is to provide context, discussion, education, and understanding.

The irony is that America’s story becomes more impressive when told honestly, not less.

George Washington remains one of the most important figures in American history. Acknowledging that he owned enslaved people does not diminish the significance of leading the Continental Army or serving as the nation’s first president. It simply presents the historical record as it existed.

Likewise, discussing difficult chapters of American history does not weaken the country. It demonstrates confidence.

Strong nations do not fear historical truth, they learn from it.

Throughout history, governments of many ideologies have attempted to suppress, sanitize, or reshape historical records to support contemporary political objectives.

Free societies generally take a different approach. They preserve records, archives, documents, and evidence even when those records are inconvenient or embarrassing. Because truth should not depend on who holds political power.

Historical records belong to the public, not to political parties, elected officials, or government administrations. This debate extends beyond national parks.

Across the country, Americans are arguing about school curricula, libraries, archives, public monuments, historical records, and educational materials.

Here in Iowa, questions have also been raised about proposals affecting the management and location of state historical archives and records. These discussions are not really about the past; they are about the future.

The way a society preserves its history shapes how future generations understand their nation, their institutions, and themselves.

History should never be edited to protect politicians from criticism, advance political ideology, protect a corrupt politician, or because the truth makes someone uncomfortable.

The answer is not to add political spin from the left or remove inconvenient facts from the right. The answer is to preserve the historical record as completely and accurately as possible.

Because once we begin deciding which facts are politically acceptable, we are no longer preserving history. We are editing it.

And future generations deserve better than an edited version of the truth.