Dr. Jody Edward Ginn criticizes the Smithsonian National Museum of American History for prioritizing activism over education after his first visit in over a decade, claiming it has become a “completely different place.”
Dr. Jody Edward Ginn, a historian and museum professional, has expressed strong criticism of the Smithsonian National Museum of American History (NMAH), claiming it has shifted its focus from education to activism. This assertion comes after his first visit to the museum in over a decade, during which he noted significant changes in its presentation of American history.
“It’s a completely different place than when I was there in 2012,” Ginn told Fox News Digital. He argues that the museum’s mission has transformed into one that promotes activism rather than serving as a platform for education. “They use history, but that’s kind of the problem. You know, scholars of history, and I don’t consider these folks scholars anymore. They’re activists,” he added.
Ginn’s concerns were heightened after he reviewed a report from the Trump administration’s Domestic Policy Council. The report accused the Smithsonian and the NMAH of failing to present history in a manner that is “inspiring, unifying, and worthy of our great republic.” Motivated by these criticisms, Ginn traveled from Texas to witness the changes firsthand.
“From the moment I walked in, it’s a very different experience,” Ginn remarked. He noted that he was not entirely surprised by the transformation, as he has observed a gradual evolution in the museum field over the past decade.
As he navigated through the exhibits, Ginn claimed that the museum appears to “specifically direct” visitors toward activism rather than providing them with the information necessary to form their own conclusions. He stated, “It became this goal, their own stated goal, to turn museums from institutions of education, of public education, into institutions to encourage activism, which could also be said to indoctrinate.”
During his visit, Ginn encountered what he described as “factually incorrect information” in some exhibits. However, he emphasized that the most misleading aspect of the museum is what is omitted from the narrative presented to visitors. “The biggest problem is in what they leave out,” he said.
Ginn also expressed concern over the museum’s inclusion of “graphic” and sexually explicit exhibits, arguing that such content is inappropriate for a venue frequented by families and children. “These are geared towards all ages,” he noted. “Why would you do that? All of that’s out of sync with what museums were just a few years ago.”
His criticisms echo concerns raised by lawmakers during a recent House hearing, where they questioned Smithsonian National Museum of American History Director Anthea Hartig about the museum’s exhibits. Representative Tim Burchett, R-Tenn., specifically inquired about the exhibit titled “Illegal to Be You: Gay History Beyond Stonewall,” which included a bondage harness and other overtly sexual content.
Lawmakers also scrutinized Hartig regarding the 2017 MASS Action Toolkit, which references the 2014 Ferguson police shooting and the subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. The toolkit describes “objectivity” as a characteristic of “white supremacy culture,” a point that Ginn argues reflects the museum’s shift toward activism.
Reflecting on the House hearing, Ginn found the testimony “very disappointing” and claimed it did not represent a scholarly presentation of history. “If that’s the kind of museum you’ve been approved to run, then just own it,” he said. “Don’t say you’re being unbiased when it’s really evident.”
Ginn criticized Hartig for asserting that the museum has not taken a side, arguing that the revised mission statement has fundamentally altered the museum’s purpose. During a 2024 presentation to history students, Hartig explained that the museum removed the mention of “American history” from its mission statement to avoid the “America First” mentality.
For Ginn, his visit confirmed what he perceives as a “massive shift” in the museum profession, with the Smithsonian serving as a prominent example of this trend. “It is my opinion as a public historian that the mission we’ve always had is to educate the public and provide scholarly information,” he stated. “To me, that’s what the National Museum of American History should be.”
Despite his concerns, Ginn expressed skepticism about the possibility of change within the institution. He believes that a “massive effort” would be required to replace current staff with individuals who prioritize history over political agendas. “You’re going to have to put in new people who are committed to scholarly standards and non-politicized educational programming,” he asserted. “These people have bought into it, hook, line and sinker.”
Fox News Digital reached out to the Smithsonian for comment regarding Ginn’s allegations and observations.
According to Fox News, the ongoing debate surrounding the Smithsonian’s direction highlights broader discussions about the role of museums in society and their responsibilities in presenting history.