Latest update: On September 3, AASLH and a coalition of partners jointly filed an amicus brief in Rhode Island v. Trump, a lawsuit brought to combat White House efforts to dismantle the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). Learn more about the filing here.

The history field is facing multiple challenges, including increased government censorship, cancelled grants and services from federal agencies, and efforts by the White House to promote a triumphalist vision of the U.S. 250th anniversary. This page highlights the latest developments, what AASLH is doing, what you can do, and key resources for supporting the history community.

Immediate actions
AASLH is encouraging members of the field to:

Recent major developments

To see a timeline of major developments from earlier in 2025, click here.

AASLH’s efforts to champion the history field are made possible by the generous support of the history community. Become a member of AASLH or donate today.

Last updated: November 24, 2025

AASLH is pursuing multiple strategies to respond to current challenges and build a stronger, more sustainable history community.

Collecting real-world stories of impact
AASLH is gathering experiences from history organizations nationwide to better understand—and draw attention to—the real-world impact of recent state and federal actions. Share your story and read examples.

Considering legal options
We are exploring legal avenues in support of the federal agencies that help power the history community. These options include joining an existing lawsuit as a co-plaintiff, filing a separate suit, and/or filing an amicus brief with a court entertaining one of the existing suits. Earlier this year, AASLH President & CEO John Dichtl submitted a declaration in a lawsuit defending IMLS. Most recently, AASLH joined a coalition of museum, library, and cultural organizations in filing an amicus brief in Rhode Island v. Trump, a lawsuit brought to combat White House efforts to dismantle IMLS.

Offering training and community-building opportunities
AASLH is designing programs and resources to help practitioners deepen their advocacy capacities. Resources include:

Speaking out about history—effectively
Grounded in the findings of extensive research showing most Americans’ support for complete and accurate tellings of history, AASLH has been shining a light on the field via various communications platforms. AASLH was recently quoted in articles on museum exhibitions planned for the 250th and White House efforts to control the anniversary’s narrative.

You can also read recent advocacy-related pieces on the AASLH blog. Recently, we featured a joint statement, “Trust Americans to Learn from the Past,” issued by AASLH and fellow history associations. We also shared our position on White House interference at the Smithsonian Institution.

AASLH’s efforts to champion the history field are made possible by the generous support of the history community. Become a member of AASLH or donate today.

Share your impact story with AASLH
Specific, local stories are the most effective way to advocate for the history community. Share your story to help AASLH demonstrate the effect on the field of recent government actions. See sample stories here.

Document content at history sites and organizations
Many institutions are receiving directives or feeling pressure to change, add, or remove content due to the current political environment. You can help preserve the hard work and expertise of our field—and support complete and accurate history—by documenting at-risk interpretation in your own community, as well as by contributing to repositories such as Save Our Signs, an online archive of NPS signage.

Appeal your grant cancellation
If your federal grant has been cancelled, there are steps you can take to advocate for your organization and lay the groundwork for possible remedy in the future. These include:

  • Share your grant cancellation notice with the American Alliance of Museums (AAM) and/or other relevant associations.
  • Submit a formal appeal for the cancellation. You can follow instructions to do so from the National Council of Nonprofits and Holland & Knight.
  • Ensure your response to the grant termination is documented by submitting it via both the official grant portal and in a message to official agency email addresses.
  • Report the cancelled grant to your members of Congress, via both email and phone.

Contact your elected officials
Tell your elected representatives and other stakeholders how your organization is being affected by government actions. Be as specific as possible.

Reach out to local media
Local news stories can be a powerful way to demonstrate the importance of the history field and federal cultural agencies. If you live in a community with a reputable local news outlet, contact them to gauge their interest in your organization’s story.

Make the case with research
Research shows that the vast majority of people in America value history institutions such as museums. We also know that the majority of the public embrace complete and honest American history and want to see these stories told at museums, history organizations, and historic sites.

AASLH’s efforts to champion the history field are made possible by the generous support of the history community. Become a member of AASLH or donate today.

Combatting censorship

Research on the history field and history in American life

Effective history communication

Defending federal agencies

Other resources

AASLH’s efforts to champion the history field are made possible by the generous support of the history community. Become a member of AASLH or donate today.