Historic Preservation Month 2025: Protecting African American History from Political Erasure

Every May, communities across the United States celebrate Historic Preservation Month. We repaint old storefronts, lead walking tours, and post photos of restored barns. The goal is simple: save the places and objects that tell our national story. Yet this year’s celebration feels urgent. During the last week of April, curators at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture (NMAAHC) started boxing up landmark artifacts—including pieces of the 1960 Woolworth’s lunch-counter sit-in—to ship them back to their owners. The move came after the President signed an executive order demanding that federal museums strip out what he calls “improper ideology.”[1]

May is National Historic Preservation Month

What Happened at the “Blacksonian” This Week?

On April 25, museum staff began disassembling exhibits tied to Black resistance. Reporters with AFRO and Black Press USA confirmed that the lunch-counter, a Bible used during Civil Rights marches, and early editions of History of the Negro Race in America were among the first items slated for removal. Lawmakers and activists condemned the action as “erasing history.”

Visitors rushed in to see the galleries before more objects disappeared. “We came today because we heard things might get taken down,” one tourist told Cronkite News, which noted seven school groups crowding the museum that Thursday alone.[2] 

The Executive Order Behind the Purge

The immediate trigger is Trump’s March 27 order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” The document says museums have embraced a “divisive, race-centered ideology.” It directs Vice President J.D. Vance, a Smithsonian Board of Regents member, to “remove improper ideology” from all Smithsonian properties.[3]

The order also tells Congress to freeze or cancel funding for exhibits that “degrade shared American values,” and it even singles out future displays that recognize transgender women. Historians warn that language like this opens the door to broad censorship.[4] 

Why the “Woke” Label Is Dangerous

Since taking office in January, President Trump has attacked what he calls “woke ideology.” In speeches, he claims that honest discussions of slavery, segregation, and systemic racism teach Americans to hate their country. He argues that cutting such content will unite the nation. Critics point out that erasing harsh truths does not heal divisions; it simply hides them.[5] 

Labeling exhibits about Black history as “divisive” sends a chilling message: some stories are safe only if they comfort the powerful. Historic Preservation Month reminds us that preservation is not just about buildings. It is about memory—whose stories survive and whose disappear.

Why This Matters to Everyone

African American sites comprise less than two percent of the National Register of Historic Places. Artifacts at NMAAHC fill gaps left by centuries of neglect. When those objects vanish from public view, we all lose a piece of the American mosaic.

Removing artifacts also sets a precedent. If a future administration dislikes exhibits on Native history, women’s rights, or LGBTQ+ struggles, those could be next. Preservation is most fragile when it depends on political favor.

Five Things We Can Do Right Now

1. Record Family Stories

   Ask parents, grandparents, or elders about their lives and capture their words on video or audio. Oral histories become primary sources that no administration can delete.

   
   

2. Support Local, Black-Led Preservation Groups

   Donate or volunteer with neighborhood historical societies, African American heritage commissions, and cemetery friends’ groups. Small grants and extra hands help them save threatened sites.

   
   

3. Conduct Your Family’s History and Digitize Family Documents

   
   

   

   Teaching the next generation about their history.

   
   

   Do your family history research. Scan deeds, church programs, photographs, and letters. Upload copies to reliable repositories such as the Digital Public Library of America or your state archive. Digital backups protect against loss and make sharing easier.

   
   

4. Advocate for Protective Laws

   Call city council members, state legislators, and members of Congress. Support bills that fund underrepresented history and oppose measures that punish museums for telling the truth.

   
   

5. Teach the Next Generation

   Organize youth service days at local landmarks—pair students with elders to map ancestral neighborhoods or clean headstones. When young people feel ownership of history, they defend it fiercely.

A Call to Action

Historic Preservation Month usually feels festive; this year, it feels like a line in the sand. Objects that survived slavery, Jim Crow, and decades of neglect are being rolled out the back door of our national museum. Officials say the artifacts are “divisive, " but visitors say they are essential.

Preservation is not passive. It requires watchful citizens who refuse to let powerful voices write uncomfortable chapters out of the story. So, visit a museum this month—especially one under scrutiny. Sign a petition. Write about your family’s history, or hire a genealogist. Support a Black-owned preservation nonprofit because history does not preserve itself. People do. And in 2025, that work is more important than ever.

Subject	Websites for deeper reading
Historic Preservation Month & general preservation	• National Trust for Historic Preservation – https://savingplaces.org • Advisory Council on Historic Preservation – https://www.achp.gov • Preservation Leadership Forum (National Trust) – https://forum.savingplaces.org
NMAAHC artifact removals / Smithsonian policy	• Smithsonian Institution Newsdesk – https://www.si.edu/newsdesk • National Museum of African American History and Culture – https://nmaahc.si.edu  • Smithsonian Magazine (Culture section) – https://www.smithsonianmag.com/category/history-culture/
Trump administration’s “anti-woke” executive actions	• White House Briefing Room (archived executive orders) – https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/ • Congressional Research Service (CRS Reports) – https://crsreports.congress.gov  • Brennan Center for Justice (analysis of cultural-policy EOs) – https://www.brennancenter.org

 Sources:

[1] AFRO American Newspapers. "The Smithsonian PURGE: 47th President’s Team Removes Artifacts of Black Resistance." AFRO American Newspapers. April 25, 2025. https://afro.com/trump-smithsonian-african-american-history/.

[2] Cronkite News. "Trump Order Removing 'Woke' Smithsonian Exhibits Draws Backlash." Cronkite News, April 10, 2025. https://cronkitenews.azpbs.org/2025/04/10/donald-trump-order-removing-woke-smithsonian-exhibits-draws-backlash/.

[3]   White House. “Executive Order on Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” March 27, 2025. https://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room/presidential-actions/2025/03/27/executive-order-history/.

[4] The Guardian. "Trump Executive Order on Smithsonian Targets Funding for 'Improper Ideology'." The Guardian, March 27, 2025. https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/27/trump-smithsonian-executive-order.​

[5] American Historical Association. “Historians Oppose Federal Interference in Museum Exhibits.” April 3, 2025. https://www.historians.org/news/aha-statement-smithsonian-review.

Restoring and Dating Family Photographs: Unlocking Your Ancestral Past

Family photographs are more than just faded images; they are windows into the lives of our ancestors. Each old picture tells a story, capturing a moment in time that might otherwise be lost. As someone who recently inherited my Grandma’s collection of photographs, I understand the excitement and frustration that comes with piecing together family history. Before her passing in November 2024, she and I spent countless nights identifying the people in the images but only managed to name about half. Now, the challenge of restoring and dating these photographs falls on me—a journey that has proven both rewarding and enlightening.

Why Restoring and Dating Family Photos Matters

Photographs are invaluable pieces of family history. They provide tangible connections to the past, allowing us to see the faces, clothing, and environments of those who came before us. Restoring and accurately dating these images can help confirm identities, discover lost family stories, and bring ancestors to life in ways that written records alone cannot.

There are ways to determine how old a photo might be. A few tips are listed below.

How to Date Old Family Photos

1.   Looking for Photographer Imprints

Many studio photographs from the 19th and early 20th centuries include the photographer’s imprint, often stamped or embossed on the front or back. Researching these photographers can provide clues about when and where the photo was taken. Websites like Langdon’s List of 19th & 20th Century Photographers and Ancestry.com’s city directories can help track studio names and their active years.

2.   Examine Clothing Styles

Fashion trends changed frequently throughout history, making clothing one of the most reliable indicators of a photo’s time period. Some general guidelines include:

Women’s Dresses: Bustled gowns (1860s-1880s), high-neck blouses with puffed sleeves (1890s), drop-waist dresses (1920s), and cinched waists with full skirts (1950s).

Men’s Suits: Wide lapels (1870s), bowler hats (1880s-1910s), high-buttoned suits (1920s), and double-breasted jackets (1940s-1950s).

Children’s Attire: White gowns for infants (common until the early 1900s), knee-length knickerbockers for boys (late 1800s-early 1900s), and sailor suits (1890s-1920s).

3.   Analyze Background Details

The settings of old photographs offer additional clues:

Props and Studio Settings: Painted backdrops featuring Greco-Roman columns and elaborate furniture were standard in the late 1800s.

Street Scenes: Automobiles, street signs, or recognizable landmarks can narrow down a time period.

Interior Elements: Household items like radios, telephones, or wallpaper patterns can hint at a particular decade.

My 2nd great-grandparents circa 1920.

Restoring Old Photos for Preservation

Once you’ve identified and dated your family photographs, restoring them ensures their longevity. Here are a few simple steps:

1. Digitize Your Photos

   • Scanning your photographs at a high resolution (at least 600 dpi) preserves their details and makes digital restoration easier.

2. Use Editing Software for Restoration

   • Adobe Photoshop: A powerful tool for professional restoration, allowing for scratch removal, color correction, and contrast adjustments.

   • MyHeritage Photo Enhancer: Uses AI to sharpen blurred images and bring faces into clearer focus.

   • GIMP: A free alternative to Photoshop, great for removing stains and creases.

3. Store Originals Properly

   • Keep photographs in acid-free archival sleeves.

   • Store them in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.

   • Avoid using adhesive tapes or albums with sticky pages.

Organizing a Large Photo Collection (5000+ Photos)

For those inheriting a massive collection of photographs, staying organized is essential. Several user-friendly software options can help:

• Google Photos: Offers free cloud storage and AI-powered facial recognition to group photos by people and locations.

• Adobe Lightroom: Ideal for extensive collections, allowing for tagging, batch editing, and metadata organization.

• MemoryWeb: Specifically designed for genealogy, this app enables linking photos to family tree profiles.

• ACDSee Photo Studio: Great for professionals, offering powerful cataloging and editing tools.

Bringing Your Family’s History to Life

Restoring and dating old family photos is a deeply personal and fulfilling endeavor. Identifying every face in Grandma’s collection may take time, but each discovery strengthens my connection to my ancestors. By preserving and organizing these cherished images, I am ensuring that future generations will know their stories.

Take it one step at a time if you’re embarking on a similar journey. Every name identified, every date uncovered, and every image restored is a victory in preserving your family’s legacy. Happy researching!

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“I saw that the camera could be a weapon against poverty, against racism, against all sorts of social wrongs. I knew at that point I had to have a camera.” — Gordon Parks, photographer

Don't Throw Those Obituaries Away: Use Them to Build Your Family Tree

Funeral Home books can hold the key to lost family information.

When most people think about researching their family history, they imagine digging through census records, birth certificates, and old photographs. But there’s another valuable resource that is often overlooked — funeral programs and obituaries. These documents hold a wealth of information that can help piece together family trees, connect long-lost relatives, and preserve the legacy of African American families.

My Family History Journey: Building a Family Tree with Funeral Programs

So, remember when I wrote my blog, African American Genealogy: A Step-by-Step Guide to Tracing Your African American Roots, to start with what you know? Family members who pass away are usually honored with a brief life biography.

Obituaries and funeral programs are more than just announcements of a loved one’s passing. They often include details that are difficult to find in other records, such as:

• Birthplaces and birthdates – Sometimes, official birth records are lost or never created, especially for African Americans born in the early 1900s.

• Nicknames and family stories – You may recognize a name from your research, but a nickname listed in an obituary can confirm a match.

• Occupations – The family may highlight the occupation and place of employment of their loved one.

• Colleges/Universities/Civic Associations - This section highlights the deceased’s educational background, professional affiliations, and community involvement, showcasing their lifelong contributions and connections.

• Extended family connections – Many funeral programs list surviving relatives, including siblings, cousins, and in-laws, making it easier to track family lines.

• Photographs – A funeral program may contain the only known picture of an ancestor.

When I began my journey into genealogy in 1997, I wrote down every family member that I could think of. I knew three of my four great-grandparents and a few of their siblings, so I had a lot of knowledge about my history when I started. Then, I discovered twenty-two funeral programs at my grandmother’s house. At first, they seemed like simple keepsakes, but as I read through them, I realized they held the key to my family’s past. With those twenty-two programs, I built the foundation of my family tree. Two years later, I found a box containing another sixty obituaries, further expanding my research. Today, I have a collection of funeral programs—now totaling over 600—each one helping to piece together my family's rich history.

Before the obituaries, my tree had 197 names; after I found them, I had 158 more. These obituaries and my detailed research have helped me create a family tree of 8,900 individuals, and I can accurately account for each as a family member and show we are all connected. Funeral programs are a treasure trove of information. I promise there are at least two people in your family collecting these valuable keepsakes. They can be the beginning of an amazing journey to discovering your lineage.

Recourses: Where to Find Funeral Programs

If you’re interested in using funeral programs for your own research, start by checking these sources:

1. Family Homes – Ask older relatives if they have saved funeral programs or obituary clippings.

2. Church Archives – Many African American churches keep records of past members, including funeral bulletins.

3. Genealogical Societies – Some societies collect local funeral programs and maintain obituary books for public use.

4. Libraries and Historical Societies – Local history sections often contain obituary collections and funeral records.

5. Funeral Homes – Some funeral homes maintain old records that can provide valuable details, and in recent years, they have posted obituaries on their web pages.

Preserving the Legacy

If you have funeral programs or obituaries in your possession, consider preserving them for future generations. Here are a few ways to do so:

• Digitize them – Scan and save them to a secure drive or genealogical website.

• Organize them by family line – Keep a binder or digital folder to track connections.

• Share them with relatives – These documents can help family members learn about their roots.

• Donate copies – Consider giving copies to local genealogy groups, libraries, or historical societies.

A Living History

Funeral programs and obituaries are not just records of the past; they are living documents that tell the story of a family’s journey. By collecting, preserving, and sharing them, you ensure that the history of African American families is honored and remembered. So, the next time you come across an obituary, don’t throw it away; it might just hold the missing piece of your family puzzle.

Additional Resources

Here are some additional resources to consider when looking for deceased relatives and ancestors. Most of them are paid web pages.

Genealogy Research:

1.    Ancestry.com – Extensive genealogical records and resources.

2.    FamilySearch.org – Free family history and ancestry research tools.

3.    FindAGrave.com – Cemetery records and memorials.

African American Genealogy:

1. AfriGeneas - Specializes in African American genealogy and records.

2. National Museum of African American History & Culture – Resources on African American heritage.

3. BlackPast.org – A rich collection of African American history and genealogy sources.

Obituary & Funeral Program Archives:

1. Obituary Central – Obituary archives from newspapers and funeral homes.

2. ObitsArchive.com - Search millions of obituaries and death notices containing names of the deceased, family members, invaluable stories, and more.

3. Legacy.com – Online obituary and memorial platform.

4. USGenWeb Archives – Free genealogical resources, including obituaries.

Old funeral programs hold the key to our family's rich history.

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By preserving funeral programs and obituaries, you’re not just saving paper; you’re keeping stories alive, honoring loved ones, and strengthening family connections for future generations. Embrace the journey of discovery and celebrate the rich legacy of those who came before you! 🌿✨

"The strength of a nation derives from the integrity of the home." — Frederick Douglass