National Park Services restores removed webpage material on Harriet Tubman 

The National Park Service has reversed changes to its webpage about the Underground Railroad after public backlash over reducing Harriet Tubman’s large participation in leading the movement.  

The changes, which were implemented in February, removed the large portrait of Tubman with quotes, and instead replaced them with images of postage stamps celebrating “Black/white cooperation.” The altered content emphasized how the Underground Railroad “bridged the divides of race,” rather than centering around Tubman’s role as a black antislavery leader. The NPS came forward on Tuesday and claimed that these alternations “were made without approval from NPS leadership nor Department leadership.”  

The NPS spokesperson on CNN initially denied that the changes meant to alter narratives about Tubman’s involvement in US history, and that “the idea that a couple web edits somehow invalidate the National Park Service’s commitment to telling complex and challenging historical narratives” is “false.” 

Nevertheless, the change angered several legislators, historians and citizens, causing the NPS to redact the changes. Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland stated that these changes reflect the Trump administration’s larger goals to “whitewash” history and deconstruct the diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives across government administrations and private businesses.  

“Trump is trying to rewrite the history of the Underground Railroad — even diminishing its conductor, MD’s own Harriet Tubman,” Van Hollen posted on X, formerly known as Twitter. 

This is not the only case where web pages on government sites have been altered to remove portrayals of Black or LGBTQ+ figures, according to an article from NPR. Many federal agencies have faced scrutiny for deleting or altering public sites, many attributing these actions to government compliance with Trump’s recent executive orders.  

The Arlington National Cemetery website and education materials highlighting Black and female veterans has disappeared. An article on the Department of Defense’s website surrounding Jackie Robinson’s military career was taken down, before reappearing. Another page about Black Army general Maj. Gen. Charles Calvin Roger’s biography also disappeared before being reinstated. The Department of State’s page on travel information has received a wave of criticism for replacing “LGBTQI+ Travel Information” with “LGB Travel Information,” removing the acknowledgement of transgender and intersex groups.