Several historical artifacts are being taken out of the National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC), according to the individuals who loaned the items. The removals follow an executive order issued by the Trump administration, mandating the extraction of certain historical objects from Smithsonian museums across Washington, D.C.
Some owners of treasured artifacts say they were recently contacted by the museum about the removal of their items. Visitors who had carefully planned their trips to see these displays expressed disappointment, noting that they feared pieces of history might disappear before they had the chance to witness them firsthand.
Reverend Amos Brown, a veteran civil rights activist, shared that he was informed two artifacts he loaned would soon be returned to him. Among them is a rare book authored by Rev. George Washington Williams in 1880, which Brown described as “the first true history of the Negro race” and a priceless treasure. The second item is a Bible he carried with him during pivotal demonstrations alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and Rev. Jesse Jackson.
Brown, who had loaned the items back in 2016, said the Smithsonian previously gave him the choice to renew the loan or donate the objects permanently. This time, however, he says that courtesy wasn’t extended. “It’s nothing short of dishonest and deeply disrespectful,” Brown said. “I hope those who still believe in justice and truth will speak out and put an end to this.”
The removals have not gone unnoticed by museum visitors either. Jeff Anderson, a tourist visiting from Louisiana, said he made the trip specifically to see the museum before more artifacts could be taken out. “It’s heartbreaking,” Anderson remarked. “It feels like there’s a fear of Black history being understood and embraced.”
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Others, like Virginia resident Aaron Weaver, noted glaring absences during their recent visits. “I definitely saw things missing,” Weaver said. “Nat Turner’s Bible wasn’t there anymore, and the table from the Greensboro sit-ins was gone too—though at least the digital display was still active.”
In response to mounting concerns, Linda St. Thomas, chief spokesperson for the Smithsonian Institution, issued a statement clarifying the situation. She emphasized that the famous Greensboro lunch counter remains on display at the National Museum of American History and that NMAAHC still showcases two stools from the original sit-in, with one consistently exhibited while the other undergoes preservation.
Regarding Rev. Brown’s artifacts, the museum explained that the loan agreement was set to expire in May and that standard museum practices require the items to be returned to their owners at the end of such agreements. “Our commitment to responsible stewardship includes honoring all loan contracts, including the timely return of objects to their rightful owners,” the museum stated.
Despite these explanations, many still feel uneasy about the broader implications. Weaver summed up the frustration felt by many: “This is more than moving artifacts—it’s an attempt to sanitize history. But you can’t erase the African American story. It’s intertwined with America’s very foundation.”
