Anthea M. Hartig, director of the National Museum of American History, defended the institution before a House Oversight subcommittee on July 21 in response to a White House report released on July Fourth. The Domestic Policy Council document criticized the museum’s historical presentation, arguing it fails to tell America’s story in a way that is inspiring, unifying, and worthy of the nation.
Hartig disputed the characterization of the museum’s work, stating the institution fact-checks the report and maintains it does not accurately reflect the full scope of the museum’s collections, exhibits, and programming. She emphasized that the museum does not take sides in political debates and characterized the institution’s approach as evolutionary rather than revisionist. According to Hartig, adding previously absent voices and perspectives to historical narratives differs from erasing existing history, as critics sometimes suggest.
Republicans on the subcommittee reiterated concerns from the White House report. Rep. Tim Burchett of Tennessee described the museum’s current presentation as focusing excessively on power struggles between oppressors and the oppressed, characterizing exhibits as reflecting what he called a broader ideological vision. Rep. Michael Cloud of Texas acknowledged that important anniversary-related material appears in the museum but stated it was challenging to locate during his visit.
The museum opened an exhibit in May titled “In Pursuit of Life, Liberty and Happiness” featuring 250 objects commemorating America’s 250th anniversary, including Thomas Jefferson’s desk used to draft the Declaration of Independence, a Revolutionary War-era gunboat, and the Star Spangled Banner. However, the White House report had argued the museum had declined to create exhibits dedicated to founding narratives or specific founders.
Hartig also faced questioning regarding a past exhibit titled “Girlhood (It’s Complicated)” that ran from 2020 through 2023 and included personal diary entries from a 13-year-old addressing gender identity issues. The hearing occurred amid broader White House efforts to reshape narratives at federal cultural institutions, including efforts that prompted the director of the National Portrait Gallery to step down from her position.