Smithsonian Archives Wall Texts
A volunteer group is archiving wall text and exhibition material at the Smithsonian Institution to preserve interpretive narratives that accompany artifacts and exhibitions. The initiative ensures future historians and museum visitors can access the context and scholarly perspectives that frame collective understanding of the past.
The volunteer group, "Citizen Historians for the Smithsonian," was formed in response to a 2025 letter from the Trump administration stating that museum exhibits were subject to review and revision to align with a directive to "celebrate American exceptionalism." This directive prompted fears that interpretive narratives could be altered or removed, erasing crucial context from public view. The "Crowd to Cloud" initiative was co-founded by retired school librarian Mary Anne O'Rourke and historian James Millward, among others, after the administration's announcement. The project quickly amassed more than 750 volunteers to photograph and video-document wall texts and exhibit materials across the Smithsonian's 21 museums and the National Zoo. Within its first five weeks, the grassroots effort generated over 31,500 photographs and videos, successfully archiving 56 percent of all Smithsonian exhibits. This rapid documentation was seen as a form of protest and a way to create a public record against which any future changes could be compared. The project's urgency was highlighted by subsequent events, such as when the National Portrait Gallery removed wall text mentioning former President Trump's two impeachments from alongside his official portrait, replacing it with a more basic label. The Citizen Historians group had previously documented the original text, providing a clear record of the change.
