Well congrats!
10.03.2026 23:57
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Well congrats!
Monticello Home of Thomas Jefferson Historical Accuracy B Monticello earns a “B” because there is a lack of proportional and adequate focus on the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson’s attainments, as well as some ideological issues.
Thomas Jefferson's Monticello in Charlottesville, VA has a B rating.
"Monticello earns a “B” because there is a lack of proportional and adequate focus on the Declaration of Independence and Thomas Jefferson’s attainments, as well as some ideological issues."
I'm not sure - that would really be something! The review is dated July 2025. The quote is from the section on ideological bias if you want to read the whole thing.
historicsites.heritage.org/site/the-ame...
https://historicsites.heritage.org/site/montpelier/ Montpelier Home of James Madison Historical Accuracy C Montpelier earns a “C” due to its notable lack of focus on James Madison, the inaccuracy of some of the exhibits, and its ideological telling of history. There are no exhibits dedicated to James Madison and his contributions, the exhibit on the Constitution contentiously portrays the document as pro-slavery, and Montpelier engages in cherry-picking and historical distortions.
James Madison's Montpelier in Montpelier Station, VA has a C rating.
"Montpelier earns a “C” due to its notable lack of focus on James Madison, the inaccuracy of some of the exhibits, and its ideological telling of history."
National Museum of African American History and Culture Smithsonian museum dedicated to documenting and exploring African American history and culture, from the era of slavery through the civil rights movement and beyond Historical Accuracy C The National Museum of African American History and Culture earns a “C” grade because the exhibits all lean in the same direction: against America. With inaccurate or misleading facts and framing, the exhibits cast a pall on, or outright delegitimize, America, its history, capitalism, and the West. The museum also cherry-picks aspects of historical events to promote an ideology.
The Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture has a C rating.
"The National Museum of African American History and Culture earns a “C” grade because the exhibits all lean in the same direction: against America."
https://historicsites.heritage.org/site/the-american-civil-war-museum-at-historic-tredegar/ The American Civil War Museum Museum on the Civil War and Reconstruction, located on the site of the Tredegar Iron Works, where the cannon fired at Fort Sumter were made Historical Accuracy B The American Civil War Museum earns a “B” grade. While the main exhibit adheres to traditional academic standards and provides a thorough, accurate, and comprehensive overview of the Civil War, the welcome film and the special exhibit, “The Impending Crisis,” are rife with ideological undertones and present an imbalanced picture of the history of the Civil War.
The American Civil War Museum in Richmond, VA has a B rating.
"While the special exhibit does not promote an explicit agenda, the underlying narrative of the exhibit revolves completely around slavery and does not give adequate attention to other components of the Civil War crisis."
https://historicsites.heritage.org/site/vicksburg-national-military-park/ Vicksburg National Military Park Site of the 47-day siege that gave the Union control of the Mississippi River and split the Confederacy in two Historical Accuracy B The Vicksburg National Military Park’s earns a “B” grade because, while its on-site presentation of history is largely accurate and impartial, the park video and website contain several elements of ideological bias.
Vicksburg National Military Park in Vicksburg, MS has a B rating.
"While racism was a factor in the overturning of Reconstruction, the actual history is much more complex. Radical Reconstruction, instituted by Congress in 1867, disregarded Abraham Lincoln’s vision of a generous peace."
National World War II Museum Congressionally designated museum in New Orleans that documents the American experience in World War II Historical Accuracy B The National World War II Museum in New Orleans earns a “B” grade. Though the historical exhibits are high quality and informative, the museum spends an excessive amount of time on divisive racial themes, including topics that have nothing to do with World War II. Some discussion of historic discrimination makes sense, but the museum elevates racial themes above messages of American unity and victory.
The National WWII Museum in New Orleans, LA has a B rating.
"Though the historical exhibits are high quality and informative, the museum spends an excessive amount of time on divisive racial themes, including topics that have nothing to do with World War II."
National Museum of the United States Air Force The museum is near a major U.S. airbase, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, and boasts the most comprehensive overview of U.S. military aviation Historical Accuracy B The U.S. Air Force Museum earns a strong “B” grade due to its generally accurate presentation and detailed history of military aviation within the United States, going back to the beginning of the Wright Brothers, who lived in the state of Ohio. The exhibits are engaging, highlighting several key players involved in major historical events. There is an ongoing thread regarding the role of women and African Americans throughout the different exhibits. For the most part, these are historically accurate. Still, their predominance is slightly distracting from the detailed descriptions of various technological improvements to military aircraft over time, from prop planes to stealth fighters, as well as various military campaigns the United States was involved in, including World War I, World War II, Korean War, Vietnam War, and various Cold War–era conflicts.
The National Museum of the United States Airforce in Dayton, OH has a B rating.
"There is an ongoing thread regarding the role of women and African Americans throughout the different exhibits. For the most part, these are historically accurate. Still, their predominance is slightly distracting..."
Previously, I didn't know that the Heritage Foundation has public reviews of historic sites across the country. It gives a pretty clear picture of what they want to do with the Smithsonian and National Park Service.
Here's a short🧵 of examples.
historicsites.heritage.org
I kind of want to write about this, but it might take me weeks to fully digest Roberts' perspective. And I suspect many others are better suited to the task. Roberts' rhetorical strategy alone is baffling. I would love to hear someone else's thoughts on it.
If you want to understand the ideology behind the current push to censor the Smithsonian and National Parks, you should listen to this interview. I know there's a lot going on in the world. But if you have the capacity to listen, I strongly encourage you to do so. 🗃️
I keep a list of lost historical materials, including books, manuscripts, periodicals, photographs and artwork. If you have any leads, please reach out!
losthistorybooks.com/help-me/
There’s new book about Edmonia Lewis! She is one of my favorite artists and the source of a tantalizing piece of lost media. In 1866, one of her early sculptures was photographed. It was just a draft depicting a freedwoman with her child. I don’t know if the photo survived but I’m still searching. 🗃️
I did not expect this book to be so captivating. I’ve been glued to every page.
I read it this morning - it's a great article.
A sign from Natchez Trace Parkway (NATR) titled: Human Trafficking Along the Old Trace.
Natchez Trace Parkway (NATR) flagged this sign because it "may disparage the enslaved persons by framing them as property instead of Americans and should be reviewed."
Sign titled: Captain John Smith's Adventures on the James. The background image is from the 2005 film The New World by New Line Productions.
To be clear, there are some encouraging material too. Petersburg National Battlefield (PETE) flagged this sign and stated the "park would like to revise the American Indians wayside with tribal input." They also cited concerns expressed by a tribal member.
Signs about slavery and abolition.
At Charles Pinckney National Historic Site (CHPI), a lot of material was flagged for review, including this sign about slavery and abolition.
Part of exhibit on slave trade titled: Sullivan's Island & the Slave Trade.
Another image from the same exhibit titled: African Passages.
Fort Sumter and Fort Moultire Historical Park (FOSU) flagged a large exhibit on the slave trade. These signs describe how many enslaved Africans passed through Sullivan's Island.
A sign at President's Park that describes how enslaved laborers built the White House.
At President's Park (White House), this sign was flagged for review. It describes how enslaved laborers built the White House.
Material from the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (CHOH) that was flagged for review. It describes how the Cloud family relied on enslaved labor.
At Chesapeake and Ohio Canal National Historical Park (CHOH), material relating to slavery was flagged: "This information is factual, but does highlight the fact that the success of the Cloud families economic interests relied on enslaved labor."
Part of a panel titled Washington's deceit that describes how George Washington rotated his enslaved servants in and out of Philadelphia to prevent them from being emancipated by Pennsylvania's Gradual Abolition Act.
Part of a panel that describes the 1793 Fugitive Slave Act.
At Independence National Historical Park (INDE), 13 panels were flagged for review. This includes materials about people enslaved by George Washington and the 1793 Fugitive Slave Act.
Signs from Cane River Creole National Historical Park (CARI) that describe the experiences of enslaved people that ran away to freedom. These two focus on 1804 and 1863.
Signs from Cane River Creole National Historical Park (CARI) that describe the experiences of enslaved people that ran away to freedom. These two focus on 1863 and 1864.
At Cane River Creole National Historical Park (CARI), these signs about enslaved people that ran away were flagged for review.
Sign titled Forgotten Founder about George Mason (1725-1792). The last paragraph states: While George Mason championed individual rights, he paradoxically also enslaved about 300 people on his 5,500 acre plantation in northern Virginia. The wealth created by Mason’s enslaved workforce gave him the prominence to become an elected and appointed official. Despite voicing concerns about slavery, Mason never used his power to advocate for the abolition of slavery. Rather, Mason favored a ban on the importation of Africans. This position financially benefited him as an enslaver and potential seller of hundreds of people. In his will, Mason chose not to free any of his enslaved workforce upon his death.
At National Mall and Memorial Parks (NAMA), this sign was flagged for review because the paragraph on slavery, "might be seen as disparaging."
Wayside Built by Slaves from Gulf Islands National Park with image of the fort.
Just glancing through this material is grim. At Gulf Islands National Seashore (GUIS), the wayside titled Built By Slaves was flagged because it could be "considered disparagingly to certain visitors."
You can download the National Parks material flagged for review at this link: archive.org/details/nps-...
A wide assortment of pamphlets, brochures, maps, and books from American historical sites. These materials are from roughly 1940 to the present.
I’ve been looking at National Parks material flagged for review and flipping through my collection of historical brochures and textbooks. I’m trying to transform my frustration into an article. We cannot go backwards. 🗃️
This is worth the read. I’ve been shifting through the flagged material too and it’s deeply distressing.
An elderly calico cat in a relaxed loaf posture. She has yellow eyes and an eminently boopable nose.
I really appreciate the encouragment. Please enjoy this lovely picture of my cat.