Citizen Historians Document Smithsonian Exhibits Amidst White House Scrutiny

Citizen Historians Mobilize

• 🏛️ A grassroots effort, Citizen Historians for the Smithsonian, has emerged in response to unprecedented White House scrutiny of the Smithsonian Institution.
• 📸 Volunteers like Barbara Michelman are documenting art and signage in Smithsonian museums using their cell phones to preserve artistic expression.
• 💡 The project aims to create an independent record of exhibits, independent of the museum's own archives, for potential future reference.

White House Review and Concerns

• 📝 The White House announced a sweeping review of Smithsonian exhibitions, aiming to replace perceived "divisive or ideological-driven language" with "unifying, historically accurate and constructive descriptions."
• 🗣️ President Trump stated a desire for museums to treat the country "fairly" and avoid "woke" or "racist" narratives.
• 🇨🇳 James Millward, a history professor, fears this could lead to state-controlled history, comparing it to censorship in China.

Inspiration from Past Efforts

• 🌳 The initiative is modeled after the "Save Our Signs" campaign, which documented signs in national parks facing potential removal due to ideological concerns.
• ✊ Chandra Manning emphasizes the importance of preserving the full story of the country, warning that erasing people from the past can legitimize erasing them from the present and future.
• 🚫 Concerns are raised about potential removal of materials related to Native Americans and slavery, citing the example of the "Scourged Back" photograph.

Project Scope and Volunteer Response

• 📈 The project, co-founded by professors Chandra Manning and James Millward, has rapidly expanded to include all 21 Smithsonian museums and the National Zoo.
• 🤝 Hundreds of volunteers, initially recruited through local groups, have joined the effort, amassing over 25,000 photographs in just four weeks.
• 🔬 The documentation extends beyond art to include science exhibits, such as those discussing climate change and the age of the Earth.

Defining Success and Future Goals

• ❤️ Success is defined by fostering a sense of connection and contribution among Americans to the Smithsonian Institution.
• 🌐 The organizers hope to eventually make the collected documentation available online to the public.
• 🏛️ The project seeks to ensure that the Smithsonian hears the message of how loved and valued its work is, despite external pressures.