US EditionNational park to remove photo of enslaved man’s scars
The National Park Service removes a widely circulated 1863 photo showing scars from brutal whippings on an enslaved man, citing an executive order against materials emphasizing negative U.S. history.
- On March 27, 2025, President Donald Trump signed an executive directive aimed at removing displays and exhibits perceived to promote a "corrosive ideology" that misrepresents American history.
- The order accused the Biden administration of promoting a distorted narrative about American history, prompting broad National Park Service actions to enforce removals.
- Among the materials removed were over 30 signs located within the Harpers Ferry site and a historic 1863 photograph depicting Peter Gordon, an enslaved man marked by severe whipping scars, which was exhibited at an unspecified park.
- According to a statement from the National Park Service, interpretive materials that focus heavily on negative aspects of history without providing wider context may unintentionally mislead visitors; the photograph in question is commonly referred to as “The Scourged Back.”
- These removals reflect an expansion of federal oversight on historical interpretation with potential impact on public understanding of slavery and American history at key sites like the President's House in Philadelphia.
12 Articles
12 Articles
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
The Washington PostNational park to remove photo of enslaved man’s scars
The Trump administration has ordered the removal of signs and exhibits related to slavery at multiple national parks, according to four people familiar...
Trump officials order removal of exhibits related to slavery at multiple national parks
The Trump administration is ordering the removal of information on slavery at multiple parks, including a historic photograph of a formerly enslaved man showing scars on his back.
Trump Orders ‘Scourged Back’ Removed From Park
The Trump administration has ordered the removal of art, signs and exhibits related to slavery from multiple national parks, including a photo of “The Scourged Back,” which showed the scars of a formerly enslaved man, The Washington Post reported Monday. The 1863 photograph shows the scarred back of Peter Gordon, an enslaved man who escaped from a Louisiana plantation, bearing injuries from brutal whippings. The removal of the photograph, along …
National Parks to Remove Slavery Exhibits
“The Trump administration has ordered the removal of signs and exhibits related to slavery at multiple national parks, including a historic photograph of a formerly enslaved man showing scars on his back,” the Washington Post reports.
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