Published • loading... • Updated
Museums and parks fight to preserve America's troubled history
New grant language is leading some museums to soften exhibits or skip federal aid, while major Smithsonian sites still drew more than 2 million visits last year.
- The Institute of Museum and Library Services now prioritizes federal grants for projects fostering "uplifting and positive narratives," prompting museum leaders to tell Reuters the shift risks narrowing the range of historical stories institutions can tell.
- John Dichtl, CEO of the American Association for State and Local History, noted the new language leaves longstanding museums with uncertain finances, asking, "It makes one wonder what was pushed out of the way to make room for that."
- Museums offering full historical accounts remain major draws; the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture drew 1.4 million visits last year and features a guard tower from Angola Prison, "the bloodiest prison in the South."
- Howard University history professor Ibram X. Kendi argued that history should reflect the full scope of the past. "History is remembering the full scope of the past, whether it supports or undermines a political goal," Kendi said.
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture plans programming for the 250th anniversary to "explore the nation's pursuit of a more perfect union," continuing its focus despite the federal funding climate.
Insights by Ground AI
28 Articles
28 Articles
Coverage Details
Total News Sources28
Leaning Left3Leaning Right0Center25Last UpdatedBias Distribution89% Center
Bias Distribution
- 89% of the sources are Center
89% Center
11%
C 89%
Factuality
To view factuality data please Upgrade to Premium
