We are presenting this letter as an example to AASLH members and others who are willing to send their own messages to federal and state officials on behalf of history and museums. The Smithsonian Institution, National Endowment for the Humanities, Institute of Museum and Library Services, National Park Service, and other government entities that serve the history community have been the target of recent executive orders from the White House. William Tramposch is a long-time AASLH member, served on the AASLH Council from 1983 to1987 and 1990 to1994, and used to coordinate the Seminar for Historical Administration (now AASLH’s History Leadership Institute) when it was at Colonial Williamsburg. Tramposch has had a distinguished career, stretching from Williamsburg to the New Zealand Historic Places Trust to the Nantucket Historical Association.
April 1, 2025
Ms. Porter Wilkinson, [email protected]
Counselor and Chief of Staff to the Smithsonian Board of Regents
Dear Ms. Wilkinson,
I am writing to express my deep concern over the recent arbitrary and ill-conceived measures that the Trump administration is applying to the interpretation of American history and culture throughout its review of the 21 museums of the Smithsonian Institution.
First, I have been in the museum field for 40 years having held positions as the Vice Chair for the International Council of Museums; the AAM Accreditation Commission; the AASLH Council; and as a director at museums such as The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation; the New York Historical Association; and the Oregon Historical Society. I have also held two Fulbright Fellowships in museums. I have come to believe that I know something about which I speak.
Throughout my career I have had the opportunity to work closely with Smithsonian colleagues and have always admired their dedication to the truthful interpretation of our history and culture, a history that (as any history) is filled with success and failure as well as hope and suffering. No culture’s history is absent any of these characteristics, and I rue the fact that the current administration is applying such terms as ‘appropriate’ history. Just what is appropriate history, and—as importantly—who decides? This administration has well demonstrated its disdain for subject experts, and here again we are on the edge of doing it again with our own country’s interpretation of the past.
May I urge the Smithsonian Regents to continue to brace themselves for the imminent onslaught of ‘revisionist’ thinking of the worst kind. Towards this end, may I ask that the Regents recruit more historians and museum leaders to its membership. And, may I ask them all to consider the current human treasures they have on board who are continuing to apply the best methods of museum leadership and history/culture thinking to their daily work. Your current Secretary, by the way, is the BEST we have; Please ensure his success!
In the age when extreme cuts are being made with little or no consideration for the consequences, I implore the Regents to consider the fragile balance that exists (especially today) between truth and so-called ‘alternative facts’. These are dangerous times, and all surveys reveal that museums represent an amazingly credible source of information for Americans. Please let’s not destroy this balance.
“The best assurance against error is to inform our reason”, says Jefferson. Our history must be interpreted truthfully and honestly through the well-researched and engaging programs for which the SI is so well-known…and highly regarded. Smithsonian museums have provided a benchmark for all museums, on our shores and elsewhere. Your Regents hold significant power to either ensure continuation of these high standards or to let them simply decay before our very eyes. Before you act ‘inform’ your own reason, for the sake of your country’s.
Sincerely,
Dr. William Tramposch
Mendocino, CA
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