A Virginia museum executive argues that the Smithsonian Institution should present American history with greater emphasis on the nation's achievements as it approaches its 250th anniversary. The comment arrives amid a dispute over how the institution portrays the United States' past and its upcoming leadership transition.
The author, who has spent 25 years governing museums and historic institutions in Virginia, contends that historical integrity requires more than factual accuracy. They assert that proportion, context, and perspective are necessary to tell the American story honestly. While acknowledging that the nation's history includes shortcomings and contradictions, the argument posits that these failures should not serve as the primary lens through which the American experience is understood.
The debate centers on a recent White House review that criticized the National Museum of American History. The review alleged that ideological concerns have displaced an understanding of history as a shared national inheritance, describing the museum's approach as promoting extreme political activism. In response, Smithsonian leaders and historians have defended the institution's scholarly independence. They have warned against allowing political power to dictate how history is told, emphasizing that the Smithsonian has endured various administrations and maintains credibility through public trust.
Outgoing Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie Bunch recently stated that the institution must show both the light and the dark of American history. He described America as an ideal as much as a place, citing aspirations toward liberty, fairness, justice, and equality. The author supports this dual approach but questions whether the current presentation maintains proper balance. They argue that a great national museum should examine America critically without teaching visitors to regard their country cynically.
The piece highlights specific artifacts held by the Smithsonian that represent a story of aspiration and progress. These items include a uniform worn by General George Washington, a hat belonging to President Abraham Lincoln, the Star-Spangled Banner, the Wright Flyer, a hymnal used by Harriet Tubman, stools from the Greensboro lunch counter sit-in, and the Apollo 11 command module. The author notes that no single curator, president, or political party owns this story; rather, it is held in trust for all Americans.
As the United States prepares for its semiquincentennial, the author argues that reflection should not become national self-reproach. They contend that the 250th anniversary should not be treated as a wake devoted principally to cataloging shortcomings while treating achievements as afterthoughts. Instead, visitors should leave with an understanding of both the nation's contradictions and its accomplishments. The goal is for Americans to feel moved by sacrifices made and grateful for what they have inherited, while remaining challenged to preserve and improve it.
The author concludes that pride in one's country is not incompatible with historical understanding. When grounded in truth, pride can be a product of that understanding. The Smithsonian's responsibility is to provide artifacts, scholarship, context, and perspective so that Americans can understand their inheritance fully. This includes telling hard stories alongside great ones, trusting Americans to process both without being told what to think.