Seeing a need to say “no to the erasure of history,” Bucks, Chester, Delaware and Montgomery Counties have filed a joint brief in support of the City of Philadelphia’s court filing seeking to restore the slavery exhibits recently removed by the U.S. National Park Service.
Bucks and Montgomery officials called the government action a “whitewashing” that would make America “weak and vulnerable.”
The legal filing describes the collar counties proximity to and shared history with Philadelphia, their connections to the nation’s founding, and the importance of maintaining honest and inclusive representation of history at nationally significant sites, particularly in the year of America’s 250th anniversary.
The President’s House, at 6th and Market streets, marks the site of the nation’s executive mansion in the late 1700s, where Presidents Washington and Adams both lived with their households.
“Instead of white-washing our history, we should be taking action to ensure that all members of our community, no matter their backgrounds, can live the American dream,” said Jamila H. Winder, chair, Montgomery County commissioners. “We
must stand firm on our convictions that our history makes us stronger, better and braver.”
Said Diane M. Ellis-Marseglia, chair, Bucks commissioners: “In Bucks County, with our place in American history firmly rooted, we resist temptation for self-delusion and instead confront our faults head on, resolving always to do better tomorrow than we did yesterday. Only then can we achieve our country’s founding vision of equality for all people.”
Chester and Delaware County leaders echoed similar statements.
“We will not stand by as the federal government attempts to rewrite history while breaking the law,” said Josn Maxwell, chair, Chester commissioners. And Richard Womak, chair, Delaware council commissioners, called the government’s removal of the slavery exhibits as “unlawful and unconscionable.”