Smithsonian Opens 250-Object US Anniversary Exhibition as Trump Presses Review of History Displays
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 13
Smithsonian Opens 250-Object US Anniversary Exhibition as Trump Presses Review of History Displays
2 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 13
250 objects spread across 250,000 square feet will anchor the Smithsonian National Museum of American History’s new semiquincentennial exhibition opening May 14 in Washington.
76 pieces line the entry halls and the rest are woven through existing galleries, using a ribbon trail and action verbs to frame US democracy as participatory, contested and still evolving.
The 53-foot gunboat Philadelphia is a centerpiece: the 16,000-pound Revolutionary War relic, sunk in 1776 and raised in 1935, is being conserved in public view and may now survive another 1,000 years.
Jefferson’s desk, the Star-Spangled Banner, a MAGA hat, a 9/11 hard hat, civil-rights artifacts and same-sex wedding toppers are displayed together to connect founding ideals with conflict, protest and everyday life.
The show opens as Donald Trump accuses the Smithsonian of portraying US history too negatively; museum leaders say close work with America 250 and rigorous scholarship will shield the exhibition from political pressure.
As its 250th anniversary exhibit opens, how will the Smithsonian define American identity for the next generation?
From a warship to a lunch counter, can 250 objects truly capture the complex American story?
Political Pressure and Museum Independence: The Smithsonian’s 250th Anniversary Controversy
Overview
In the lead-up to its 250th anniversary, the Smithsonian Institution faced strong political pressure from the Trump administration, which demanded a more positive portrayal of American history and scrutinized the museums for what it called 'improper ideology.' White House aide Lindsey Halligan led these efforts, requiring the Smithsonian to turn over records from eight museums. However, the urgency of this intervention lessened after Halligan was reassigned. This controversy highlights the ongoing tension between the Smithsonian’s mission of scholarly independence and the influence of political administrations on how American history is presented.