National Park Service Restores Harriet Tubman References After Backlash

The agency reversed unauthorized edits that removed Tubman’s image and references to slavery, reigniting debates over historical revisionism in federal narratives.

The National Park Service (NPS) restored Harriet Tubman’s image, quote, and references to slavery on its Underground Railroad webpage after unauthorized edits were made in February 2025.
The edits had replaced Tubman’s photo with commemorative stamps and altered language to downplay slavery, sparking widespread criticism from historians, lawmakers, and civil rights advocates.
NPS officials confirmed the changes were made without approval from leadership and stated the original content was reinstated immediately upon discovery.
The incident is part of a broader pattern of federal content revisions under the Trump administration aimed at softening narratives on slavery and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
Public figures, including Sen. Chris Van Hollen and Bernice King, condemned the edits as attempts to erase critical aspects of American history, emphasizing the importance of preserving truthful narratives.