Preserving History & Culture

78%

Agree that national parks should not remove photos, signs or other materials that tell the factual aspect of America’s history.

In March of 2025, the president issued an executive order targeting the work of protecting and sharing American history and science at our national parks. Then, on May 20, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum issued a secretarial order that launched the president’s directive within the National Park Service. The government’s enforcement of this secretarial order has forced the removal of exhibits that discuss, among other things, the history of slavery, the government’s treatment of Indigenous peoples, and climate science.

Our national parks are America’s largest classroom. This unprecedented attempt to erase history is an attack on the ability of our park system to fulfill its obligation to preserve and educate the public.

Across the political spectrum, more than 3 in 4 Americans (78%) agree that national parks should not remove photos, signs or other materials that tell factual aspects of America’s history, directly refuting the administration’s push to censor educational and historical materials from public access.

Millions of visitors from around the world come to national parks each year for authentic, honest experiences. Visitors deserve the full picture of history at America’s national parks, as well as key information about climate change, pollution, development, and other environmental threats to these iconic places. NPCA will continue the fight to ensure that national parks tell the full American story.