Charleston, August 14, 2025

News Summary

The National Park Service has flagged works by Marjory Wentworth and Lynette Jackson Love for content review in Charleston’s historic sites, raising concerns over censorship and historical representation. This review is part of a nationwide initiative to remove what is deemed ‘disparaging’ content from educational materials. Critics warn that this could lead to a loss of important literature that explores significant aspects of American history, complicating the narrative presented to visitors.

Charleston: National Park Service Reviews Authors’ Works

The National Park Service (NPS) has flagged books by authors Marjory Wentworth and Lynette Jackson Love for content review in gift shops at Fort Sumter, Fort Moultrie, and Charles Pinckney Historical Site, prompting widespread concern regarding censorship and historical representation. This initiative is part of a nationwide effort to assess and potentially remove what the NPS deems “disparaging” content from its sites.

Directorates from President Trump and Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum initiated this review process, aiming to align educational materials with a narrative that is seen as more palatable to the broader public. This effort is encapsulated in the directive titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” which mandates the removal of content that could be interpreted as inappropriate or offensive.

Wentworth’s book “Shackles,” which tells the story of her sons’ discovery of iron shackles on Sullivan’s Island, is among the flagged titles. Meanwhile, Love’s book “Smashing Obstacles and Building Legacies” recounts the history of the Laing School, an institution founded in 1866 to serve Black children in Mount Pleasant. Both authors have expressed deep concern over the implications of censoring literature that explores significant and often uncomfortable aspects of American history.

The NPS’s directive includes a review of up to 10 identified titles, impacting works by authors such as Harriet A. Jacobs and Olaudah Equiano, figures whose contributions address slavery and the experiences of Native Americans. Critics argue that this could lead to a loss of crucial educational material that encompasses the full scope of historical narratives.

Michael Allen, a former ranger with four decades of experience at Charleston’s forts, raised alarms about the potential loss of educational resources and the danger of oversimplifying complex historical truths in park bookstores, which could deprive visitors of a comprehensive understanding.

Compliance with the directive is expected by mid-September, which has created urgency around the review process. The situation has raised larger questions about the preservation of historical accounts that provoke critical dialogue, as many believe understanding and acknowledging discomforting parts of history is essential for national healing and progress.

In 2024, approximately 331 million people visited national parks across the United States, marking a 2% increase from the previous year, reinforcing the relevance of these cultural and educational sites in American society. The International African American Museum in Charleston has recently been incorporated into the Reconstruction Era National Historic Network, which is dedicated to preserving and sharing narratives related to this pivotal chapter in U.S. history.

As over 100 sites participate in this network, the ongoing review by the NPS could significantly impact how these important stories are told and upheld in the future, making the debate surrounding censorship especially pertinent for educators, historians, and the public alike.

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• Post and Courier: Charleston Authors National Park Removals
• Wikipedia: National Park Service
• Stacker: Closest National Parks to Charleston
• Google Search: National Park Service
• Lucky Dog News: Friends of Charleston National Parks
• Encyclopedia Britannica: National Park Service
• Washington Post: Parks Gift Shops and Banned Books
• Google News: National Parks Censorship

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