The New History Wars

A bookish form of protest is opposing Trump’s changes.

The New History Wars

TL;DR

  • Augmented reality tours offer historical overlays of Washington D.C. landmarks, showcasing features altered or removed during Trump's renovations.
  • President Trump has issued executive orders aimed at influencing how national museums present American history, accusing institutions like the Smithsonian of 'ideological capture'.
  • Groups like Citizen Historians for the Smithsonian are organizing to provide counter-interpretations to official signage and exhibits.
  • Guerrilla art installations and augmented reality exhibits are being used as forms of protest and to highlight underrepresented historical figures and narratives.
  • The conflict centers on whether American history should be presented as a simple narrative of grandeur or as a compendium of diverse stories.