Can “Patriotism” and “History” Co-exist? The Smithsonian Case In Point

If you’re a history buff or a museum fan or anyone who thinks that the treasures of the past should be preserved and displayed you’ve no doubt read and heard about the current pressure on the Smithsonian. The story goes that the current administration would prefer to gloss over the less flattering episodes of the American past in favor of versions that are more flattering, uplifting, and patriotic.

Don’t be a downer, goes the line, how can a little selective revision hurt. Wouldn’t that just be nicer for everybody all the way around?

The answer is “No,” not just a little No. Let’s hear a big NO, NO, NO!

When we are discussing the Smithsonian we are not just talking about one place:

According to their website: “The Smithsonian Institution—the world’s largest museum and research complex—includes 19 museums and galleries and the National Zoological Park. Currently, the total number of artifacts, works of art and natural science specimens in the Smithsonian’s collections is approximately 155 million. The bulk of this material—more than 145.8 million specimens and objects—is part of the National Museum of Natural History. In addition, Smithsonian collections include 162,000 cubic feet of archival material and 2.1 million library volumes.”

There are ones you know best like Natural History, Air & Space, African American and Native American located on the Mall in Washington, DC. But there are also other sites in NYC, and other parts of the country (link to list at the end), covering art, history, science, and culture for a diverse national collection.

It’s so big and it has so much, why would anyone object to a little tinkering with the content of the exhibits for political and ideological reasons?

To put it bluntly: We teach our kids to tell the truth; we want our national museums to do the same.

Let’s be clear on this - Smithsonian and all its parts is something we, as Americans, do well, really really well. This is our best stuff and these are our best people who put it together. It’s been around for awhile, and not just for a New York minute or two but since 1846.

These are museums and exhibits we are proud of because they are interesting and accurate. They give a realistic informative look at our past and welcome all aspects of the American experience.

When those same kids take their class trip to the nation’s capital, what do they want to see? I think you already know the answer.

So please, when it comes to fiddling around with the content, let’s get a grip.

To suggest that we do not love our country because we recognize there are parts of our past that have been less than glorious is, at the very least, intellectually lazy.

Most Americans are indeed patriotic. We celebrate the 4th of July. We stand for the flag and fly it. Some of us even served in the US military. We actually know the words to the National Anthem and can recite the Pledge of Allegiance. Yes, there’s a place for “Stars and Stripes Forever,” there’s even a place for fireworks, banners, buntings, parades and Independence Day oratory. Most of us are 100% down for all of that.

But there is no excuse for trying to steer the interpretation of our past so that only the shiny parts show.

Being proud of our country and standing up for history as it really was are not mutually exclusive goals. And while we’re at it, let’s stand up for the people who have dedicated their lives to make it real and vivid for us, our children, family and visitors.

The traditional suggestions for what you can do to keep the Smithsonian great include writing to Congress, contributing financial support, rewarding professional expertise and promoting public awareness. Those are pretty boiler-plate suggestions.

But there’s nothing more American than word-of-mouth; so see if you can find a minute in the coming year to speak up to express your support for these great American museums and the great Americans who bring them to us. Talk to your neighbor, bring it up at coffee, mention it at scouts or after church. You’d be surprised how much good word-of-mouth can influence the outcome in situations like this one.

Do your part and be visible and vocal in your support, so when your kids get back from the class trip to DC and their eyes get all shiny talking about the Air and Space Museum, you can say, “Yeah, I know, I bet it’s even better than the last time I went.”

Here’s a list of all the parts of the Smithsonian and their holdings

https://www.si.edu/newsdesk/factsheets/smithsonian-collections

Read more about political pressure on the Smithsonian

New York Times (gift article) Jan. 8, 2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/08/arts/design/smithsonian-trump-pressure.html?unlocked_article_code=1.GVA.W03J.AZljbGockhEp&smid=url-share

Guardian Jan. 8, 2026

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/08/donald-trump-smithsonian-reframe-entire-culture-united-states

Artnet News Jan. 13, 2026

https://news.artnet.com/art-world/smithsonian-funding-white-house-review-2735969