An interview with Hanna Stark (MSHP‘21) at the Preservation Alliance on local preservation organizations challenging the "Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History" executive order 

Recently, the Trump administration directed parks and museums across the country to alter or remove historical content that is said to “inappropriately disparage Americans.” As Philadelphia and the rest of the nation approach the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, the administration’s emphasis on a selective historical narrative is concerning to some who see the move as a form of censorship.

In response to the order by the Secretary of the Interior, 45 preservation and historical organizations signed a letter of opposition to these proposed changes and removal of the history of slavery.¹ One of the groups supporting this letter, the Preservation Alliance for Greater Philadelphia, was also responsible for the circulation of the document. University of Pennsylvania’s historic preservation alumni, Hanna Stark (MSHP‘21), who works at the Preservation Alliance, sat down to answer a few questions about the letter and the order.

Gabrielle Lynch: Whose idea was it to write the letter and what was the primary motivation ?

Hanna Stark: The idea for the letter emerged in late July after we learned that exhibits at Independence National Historical Park and other local NPS units were flagged for a content review in connection with a Spring executive order. Our primary motivation was to make clear, in one strong unified voice, that erasing or revising decades of scholarship is not only historically inaccurate but also damaging to public trust.

GL: How did you go about organizing everyone to make a letter like this? How did you choose which voices or organizations to interview or include in the piece?

HS: We reached out to institutions and organizations across the Philadelphia region's preservation, cultural, and historical landscape. We worked with the Histories Collaborative of Philadelphia initiative, which has undergone a survey and analysis of this sector to ensure we contacted as many groups as possible.

GL: The article refers to the upcoming 250th anniversary of America and the increased tourism in Philly. How might that anniversary amplify the stakes of this situation?

HS: The upcoming Semiquincentennial celebration will bring unprecedented attention to Philadelphia as the birthplace of American democracy. Millions of visitors will look to Independence Hall, the Liberty Bell, and other sites for an authentic story of our nation’s founding. If politically motivated changes distort that story, the anniversary risks being remembered for erasure rather than honest reflection.

GL: How might this case in Philadelphia set precedent (or send signals) to other historic sites nationally?

HS: Other NPS sites across the country have also been similarly flagged for content changes in their exhibits and interpretation. Specifically, Harpers Ferry National Historical Park in West Virginia is also at risk for inappropriate alterations. We hope that standing firm here in Philadelphia reinforces the importance of professional standards and inclusive history nationwide.

GL: Do you think this moment signals a turning point for how preservation work is framed, not just as conserving buildings and artifacts, but as a form of civic responsibility by combatting government political narratives?

HS: Directives like this executive order risk undermining professional autonomy by replacing research-based interpretation with political agendas. That not only weakens trust in the National Park Service but also diminishes the credibility of public historians, who are trained to present complexity, not ideology.

GL: What kinds of tools or frameworks might preservationists need going forward to defend inclusive narratives in an increasingly politicized environment?

HS: Preservation has always been about more than bricks and mortar, it’s about the stories places carry. This moment underscores the preservation community’s civic duty to safeguard truth and resist distortion. The Preservation Alliance was pleased to lead this letter alongside other historic sites and cultural institutions.

1. Roth, Fallon. “Removing or Editing Philly Slavery Exhibits Is ‘Un-American,’ 45 Local Historical Groups Tell Trump’s Interior Secretary.” The Philadelphia Inquirer, September 8, 2025