The Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C., was established more than 175 years ago. Source: The Smithsonian Institution.
The executive order “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History” issued on March 27 by the White House, egregiously misrepresents the work of the Smithsonian Institution.
The accusation in the White House fact sheet accompanying the executive order claims that Smithsonian museums are displaying “improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology.” This is simply untrue. It completely misconstrues the nature of historical work.
The Smithsonian, established more than 175 years ago, is among the premier research institutions in the world, widely known for the integrity of its scholarship. Historians explore the past to understand how our nation has evolved. We draw on a wide range of sources, which helps us understand history from different angles. Our goal is neither criticism nor celebration; it is to increase our knowledge of the past in ways that can help Americans to shape the future.
The stories that have shaped our past include both elements that make us proud and those that make us aware of tragedies in our nation’s history. No nation is perfect, and we should all learn from our imperfections. By providing history with integrity, the Smithsonian is fulfilling its duty to all of us.
American Historical Association
Washington, D.C.