On Monday, the Smithsonian Institute disputed claims that artifacts had been “quietly” removed from its African American Museum of History and Culture following several reports.
Last week, it was reported that civil rights leaders said artifacts were being returned from the museum. The allegations surfaced against the backdrop of President Donald Trump targeting the museum — the latest attack by his administration on diversity and civil rights history.
Last month, Trump signed an executive order leaving Vice President JD Vance in charge of removing “improper ideology” from the Smithsonian Institution, specifically naming the National Museum of African American History and Culture in the order.
On Monday, The Smithsonian Institute released a statement saying, in part:
“Recent reports about the Smithsonian removing the historic Greensboro, North Carolina, lunch counter and a stool from the National Museum of American History and National Museum of African American History and Culture, respectively, are inaccurate.”
The statement continues, stating:
“…the Smithsonian routinely returns loaned artifacts per applicable loan agreements and rotates objects on display in accordance with the Smithsonian’s high standards of care and preservation and as part of our regular museum turnover. Recent claims that objects have been removed for reasons other than adherence to standard loan agreements or museum practices are false.”
Read the full statement and learn more about the allegations artifacts were removed.
