Preserving the Story of Slavery at the President’s House by Other Means

Philadelphia – After months of legal challenges over the removal of interpretive panels from the President’s House Site, the Ona Judge Coalition (TOJC) is reaffirming that the authentic history of slavery at the site will endure regardless of what appears on federal signage. While a federal appellate court ruled that the National Park Service has the legal authority to replace the original exhibit panels with new ones that diminish the role of slavery at the site, TOJC remains committed to ensuring that the stories of the nine people enslaved by George and Martha Washington, and Ona Judge’s courageous pursuit of freedom, continue to be preserved, taught, and experienced through education, public programming, and community engagement.

TOJC is a nonprofit, nonpartisan, ecumenical, multiracial alliance of Philadelphians and supporters dedicated to preserving, interpreting, and sharing the authentic history of slavery at the President’s House in Philadelphia. The Coalition advances its mission through “Who Is Ona Judge?” a comprehensive, multi-platform public awareness initiative that highlights Ona Judge’s escape from bondage and the lives, labor, and resistance of the nine individuals enslaved by George and Martha Washington at the President’s House.

“We have always understood that the protection of this history isn’t dependent on a court order; it transcends any physical location.” Carl Singley states. “That is why our work continues with the Ona Judge’s Philadelphia Historical Walking Tour, the immersive video installation at the African American Museum in Philadelphia asking attendees ‘Who Is Ona Judge?’ and several thousand copies of Never Caught The Washingtons’ Relentless Pursuit of Their Runaway Slave, Ona Judge, that will soon be in the hands of Philadelphia public, private and parochial school students. Panels can come down, but what we are building in this community and beyond cannot be erased.”

TOJC will continue to:

• Expand public programming, including guided walking tours and community dialogue events;
• Support educators bringing this history into Philadelphia classrooms, and classrooms throughout the nation;
• Advance the AAMP Who Is Ona Judge? video installation and related visibility initiatives; and
• Advocate for community input in any future changes to the President’s House Site’s interpretation, calling on the spirit of collaboration that shaped the original exhibition.

Our mission extends beyond court rulings, and we are not waiting for a verdict to tell Ona’s story. TOJC remains committed to keeping the history of the President’s House Site visible, accurately told, and accessible to the public. Preserving this history is a shared responsibility. Community involvement is central to our mission, and TOJC calls on Philadelphians, historians, educators, advocates, and everyone who believes in authentic historical representation to stand with us. Ona’s story and the stories of all those enslaved at the President’s House will be told, preserved, and passed on. These stories do not end here; this is simply a call to carry them forward.

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TOJC is committed to preserving the accurate and authentic history of slavery through immersive technology, scholarship, community engagement, public discussions, and permanent and virtual exhibitions. Website: www.WhoIsOnaJudge.org