Stones River NB

At Stones River NB, the National Park Service has worked for years to document and interpret the history of slavery at this site — a history that was ignored for much of the park's existence. The exhibits, waysides, and publications now under review represent a hard-won commitment to telling the complete American story.

From the internal review records: “Ninety Days War Exhibit Panel - Text addresses slavery as the primary cause of the American Civil War. This is both historically correct and legislatively mandated but we ask for further review to confirm it is aligned with SO 3431.”

Why this matters: The history of slavery at Stones River NB was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.

At Stones River NB, the National Park Service has worked for years to document and interpret the history of slavery at this site — a history that was ignored for much of the park's existence. The exhibits, waysides, and publications now under review represent a hard-won commitment to telling the complete American story.

Why this matters: The history of slavery at Stones River NB was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.

Stones River NB in TN is one of hundreds of National Park Service sites where interpretive content has been flagged under Secretary's Order 3431. This directive requires parks to review materials that could be considered negative about past or living Americans — a standard that threatens the factual historical record these sites were created to preserve.

Among the content targeted: “Emancipation” — language that the administration has flagged for review under its directive to review historically accurate interpretive materials.

Why this matters: Stones River NB is one of 466+ National Park Service sites where historically accurate interpretive content has been flagged under Secretary's Order 3431. Over 300 million people visit national parks each year. For many — especially schoolchildren — these visits are their first and deepest encounter with American history.

At Stones River NB, the National Park Service has worked for years to document and interpret the history of slavery at this site — a history that was ignored for much of the park's existence. The exhibits, waysides, and publications now under review represent a hard-won commitment to telling the complete American story.

Why this matters: The history of slavery at Stones River NB was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.

Stones River NB in TN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.

Why this matters: Stones River NB is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.

Stones River NB in TN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.

Why this matters: Stones River NB is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.

Stones River NB in TN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.

Why this matters: Stones River NB is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.

Stones River NB in TN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The exhibit panels at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.

Why this matters: Stones River NB is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.

Stones River NB stands as one of America's most significant Civil War sites. The events that unfolded here shaped the nation's future — and the interpretive materials that tell this story have been developed over decades by historians and park staff committed to factual accuracy.

Why this matters: Stones River NB commemorates events that shaped the course of American history. The interpretation here has been developed by professional historians over decades and reflects scholarly consensus. For the thousands of students who visit each year, this is often their first direct encounter with the realities of the Civil War — including its root cause in slavery.

At Stones River NB, the National Park Service has worked for years to document and interpret the history of slavery at this site — a history that was ignored for much of the park's existence. The exhibits, waysides, and publications now under review represent a hard-won commitment to telling the complete American story.

From the internal review records: “Review text and image to ensure alignment with SO 3431. Exhibit has garnered no negative feedback since it was redesigned (image cropped) in response to input from partners in the African American community regarding the full image and offensive depictions of the enslaved.”

Why this matters: The history of slavery at Stones River NB was suppressed for generations. The materials now being targeted represent decades of work by historians, descendants of enslaved people, and community advocates to ensure these stories are finally told. Removing them would re-erase history that has only recently been acknowledged.

Stones River NB in TN preserves a piece of American history that the public has trusted the National Park Service to protect and interpret. The visitor publications at this site have been developed over years by historians, subject-matter experts, and park staff — and are now being reviewed under Secretary's Order 3431.

From the internal review records: “Park leadership has reviewed the highlighted images and text in the park's unigrid folder. Although we believe the content is not inappropriate as defined in EO 14253 / SO 3431, we request additional review.”

Why this matters: Stones River NB is part of a network of over 400 national parks that serve as America's classrooms. The interpretive materials here were developed by subject-matter experts to help visitors understand the full story of this place. When historically accurate content is removed, the public loses access to its own history.