The National Park Service (NPS) is facing sharp criticism from historians and lawmakers following quiet but significant changes to its portrayal of the Underground Railroad — a move many say downplays the horrors of slavery and diminishes the role of Harriet Tubman.
The revisions are part of a wider rollback of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts across federal institutions by the Trump Administration.
Previously, the NPS webpage described the Underground Railroad as “the efforts of enslaved African Americans to gain their freedom by escaping bondage.” It also prominently featured a photograph and quote from Harriet Tubman, the most iconic figure associated with the movement. Those elements had been removed or replaced. In their place, the page characterized the Underground Railroad as “one of the most significant expressions of the American civil rights movement,” claiming it “bridged the divides of race.”
Historians say the revisions reflect a sanitized version of history that omits essential context and minimizes the systemic brutality of slavery.
“Although these changes may appear inconsequential to some, they collectively contribute to the erasure of the historical narrative of Black struggle for civil, political, and economic rights, which continues to this day,” W.E.B. DuBois biographer Shawn Leigh Alexander said.
The changes were reportedly made by lower-level NPS staff, some of whom reportedly feared job loss if they did not comply
The changes came in the wake of a Trump administration executive order calling on federal institutions — including the Smithsonian — to eliminate what it deemed “divisive narratives.” The directive sparked fears that the administration aimed to whitewash difficult chapters of American history, particularly those involving race and systemic injustice.
In response to mounting public pressure, the NPS appeared to restore the original content on Monday, reinstating portions of the previous text describing slavery and Tubman’s contributions. The move followed widespread criticism, including from U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Maryland), who posted on social media: “Trump is trying to rewrite the history of the Underground Railroad. The Underground Railroad is an important part of the American story. We cannot let him whitewash it as part of his larger effort to erase our history.”
An analysis of archived versions of the webpage using the Wayback Machine shows that between January 21 and March 19, a large image of Harriet Tubman was replaced with a series of commemorative stamps featuring Tubman alongside other key figures like William Still and Frederick Douglass. The stamps highlight “Black/White cooperation,” subtly shifting the narrative away from the Black-led resistance to slavery.
As of now, the National Park Service has not issued a formal explanation for the changes or the decision to revert them.
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