Across the United States, museums and historic sites are feeling the pressure of growing efforts to limit how history is interpreted and shared with the public. Whether it’s school boards restricting curricula, exhibitions removing stories about women or African Americans, or state legislatures targeting specific narratives, the landscape for public history is shifting. Two recent statements—one from national associations of professional historians and another from a leading association of history organizations—offer timely guidance for navigating this challenge.
Upholding Academic Freedom and Public Access to History
In their joint statement, the American Historical Association (AHA) and the Organization of American Historians (OAH) raise alarm over federal directives aimed at censoring public-facing historical content. Specifically, they object to restrictions on the use of terms like “diversity,” “equity,” and “inclusion,” as well as efforts to remove access to resources about gender, race, and immigration history across government platforms. These actions, the associations argue, “deny the American public access to the complex, nuanced, and evidence-based historical knowledge that is essential to democratic society.”
For museum professionals, this serves as a reminder that we are not only stewards of collections but also of public understanding and trust. AHA and OAH call on historians–including those in museums and historic sites–to resist these pressures by reaffirming their commitment to historical accuracy, critical inquiry, and public service. The practical takeaway? Review interpretive plans, online content, and programs to ensure they are grounded in evidence-based scholarship, even–and especially–when the topics are politically charged.
Standing with the National Park Service: A Sector-Wide Response
The American Association for State and Local History (AASLH) echoes these concerns in its post, “Defending Whole History at NPS and Historic Sites.” It highlights the National Park Service as a flashpoint for current debates, noting that NPS staff face increasing scrutiny and censorship over how they present issues such as slavery, segregation, and Indigenous history. But AASLH goes further, encouraging all history organizations–not just federal agencies–to stay committed to inclusive and complete storytelling.
What’s particularly helpful for museum professionals is AASLH’s emphasis on professional standards. It points to widely accepted frameworks–like AASLH’s Standards and Excellence Program for History Organizations (StEPs)–that support interpretation based on integrity, complexity, and transparency. It’s not just about having the courage to tell hard stories; it’s about having the professional backing and tools to do it well.
Putting Principles into Practice
Taken together, these two articles provide a complementary roadmap: the AHA and OAH establish the broad ethical and scholarly foundation for resisting censorship, while AASLH offers sector-specific guidance and resources. If your museum or historic site is grappling with how to respond to political pressure, here are three steps to consider:
- Revisit your interpretive goals and frameworks. Are you balancing internal needs with external impact? Are you telling full stories, not just comfortable ones?
- Use professional standards as a shield and guide. Aligning your work with established best practices offers both legitimacy and structure. Available free: AASLH Statement of Standards and Ethics; AHA’s Standards and Guidelines
- Train and empower board, staff, and volunteers. Make sure your team understands why certain stories are told and how to communicate them confidently and respectfully. Rowman and LIttlefield’s Interpreting series provides guidance on dozens of topics.
What Will You Choose to Emphasize?
In the face of growing restrictions, museums must make intentional choices about what stories they tell and how they tell them. Are you equipping your board and staff to stand firm in its mission? Are you creating space for inclusive, evidence-based history, even when it’s contested?
Let us know: What challenges have you faced in telling the full story at your site? What support or resources would help you do it more effectively?
Citations
American Historical Association and Organization of American Historians. “AHA-OAH Joint Statement on Federal Censorship of American History.” AHA Today, March 7, 2024. https://www.historians.org/news/aha-oah-joint-statement-on-federal-censorship-of-american-history/
American Association for State and Local History. “Defending Whole History at NPS and Historic Sites.” AASLH.org, February 14, 2024. https://www.aaslh.org/defending-whole-history-at-nps-and-historic-sites/
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