Madsen: Pennsylvania will not allow history to be erased

Rep. David Madsen January 28, 2026 | 11:03 AM

HARRISBURG, Jan. 28 – State Rep. Dave Madsen, D-Dauphin, today praised Gov. Josh Shapiro for filing an amicus brief in support of Philadelphia’s lawsuit challenging the federal removal of a historical exhibit on slavery from the President’s House Site at Independence National Historical Park. The exhibit, which documented the lives of nine people enslaved by George Washington while he lived in Philadelphia, has been on display for more than two decades as part of the site’s effort to tell the full history of the nation’s founding.

“Erasing painful chapters of our past does not make them go away,” Madsen said. “I applaud Governor Shapiro for standing with Philadelphia and with Pennsylvanians who believe our public sites should tell the whole story — even the parts that are difficult.

“Preserving an honest record of our history is essential to public education, civic trust and our ability to move forward together.”

The city’s lawsuit cites a longstanding cooperative agreement that requires coordination with local government before exhibits at the President’s House Site are altered or removed. By filing the amicus brief, the Commonwealth is defending the integrity of shared governance at nationally significant historic sites and reaffirming its commitment to preserving accurate historical interpretation.

“Protecting our shared history and honoring legal agreements between federal, state and local governments matters,” Madsen added. “This brief sends a clear message: Pennsylvania will defend local authority and the right of communities to preserve and interpret their own history.”

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