The National Park Service quietly removed a key reference to Harriet Tubman from its Underground Railroad webpage—sparking concerns about erasure of Black history under new federal directives.
What Changed on the Underground Railroad Webpage?
The National Park Service (NPS) recently updated its Underground Railroad webpage, eliminating a prominent photo and description of Harriet Tubman, once central to the page’s narrative.
- Original version: Featured a large image of Tubman and detailed her role as the most well-known conductor of the Underground Railroad.
- New version: Replaces Tubman’s image with commemorative stamps, including hers, and alters the language describing the Underground Railroad.
- Old term: “enslaved African Americans”
- New term: “enslaved workers”
- Reframed as: “one of the most significant expressions of the American civil rights movement.”
A dedicated Tubman page still exists on the NPS website, but her removal from this context is part of a broader trend under the Trump administration.
Why Was Harriet Tubman Removed?
The change follows President Donald Trump’s recent executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.”
- The order tasks Vice President JD Vance with overseeing the elimination of references to institutional racism and other “divisive narratives” across all federal properties.
- Pages discussing slavery and racial inequality—such as one exploring Benjamin Franklin’s ownership of enslaved people—have also been removed or heavily edited.
This move is consistent with broader federal actions aimed at dismantling diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives, including the ongoing purge of DEI programs in the military and federal agencies.
What This Means for Historical Representation
Historians and advocacy groups warn that the erasure of Harriet Tubman from key educational resources may signal a rewriting of American history to downplay systemic racism.
“Removing Tubman from the Underground Railroad page is not just a design choice—it’s a political statement,” noted one historian. “It whitewashes the role Black women played in shaping our freedom narrative.”
- The National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) is also under scrutiny.
- Trump’s directive criticizes museums for presenting what he calls “ideological indoctrination” instead of patriotic education.
What Comes Next?
With more historical web pages being altered or scrubbed, the controversy over how America tells its story is intensifying.
- Civil rights groups and historians are calling for greater transparency and public accountability.
- As of publication, neither the Department of Interior nor the NPS has commented on the changes.
Conclusion: Why Harriet Tubman Still Matters
Despite federal efforts to minimize or recast Tubman’s legacy, her role in American history remains undeniable. Tubman risked her life repeatedly to free others from bondage—making her one of the most courageous figures of the 19th century.
To stay informed:
- Visit the NPS Harriet Tubman page
- Track updates from watchdog organizations
- Demand historical integrity from federal institutions
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