History at Risk: The Urgent Need to Protect America's Cultural Memory

It's been a while since I last posted here, but I’m restarting the blog because I believe this moment calls for it. What’s happening to museums, libraries, archives, and cultural institutions is alarming—and it deserves more than a footnote. These are places where we tell the truth about who we are and where we've been. If we let that truth be dismantled, we risk losing more than funding—we lose memory, context, and connection. So I’m picking this back up with purpose. I hope you’ll read on, share, and stand with us. -EDT

Volunteers Andy Mack, Terry Seitz, and John Thabes remove the final shelving section as part of the MNHS Legacy-funded Mezzanine grant project, which began in March. Additional volunteers Ken Hanson and Leo Suckup (not pictured) completed the shelf construction and deconstruction. Volunteers from Indivisible Bemidji joined BCHS volunteers and Elders from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to help rebox our entire artifact collection. This work was made possible through a Collections Assessment for Preservation (CAP) funded by the Institute of Museum and Library Services. Note: As of 2025, the CAP program is not accepting applications due to the suspension of IMLS operations.

Is Our History in Jeopardy?

Across the nation, cultural institutions are confronting a systematic erosion of federal support. Recent actions by the administration have dismantled the very structures that sustain museums, archives, and libraries—institutions that safeguard our collective memory.

As the Executive Director of the Beltrami County Historical Society (BCHS), I feel compelled to speak out on behalf of our institution, our community, and our future.

This is not merely a budgetary issue. This is a crisis of values—one that jeopardizes the integrity of American history and the accessibility of our shared heritage.

What Has Happened to Federal Support for Cultural Institutions?

• In March 2025, an executive order directed the dismantling of the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), the only federal agency dedicated to museums and libraries. Over 75 staff were placed on administrative leave, halting all operations.

• In April, the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) was ordered to reduce staffing by up to 80%.

• National History Day funding was terminated, threatening the future of a program that reaches hundreds of thousands of students nationwide.

How Are These Cuts Impacting Minnesota?

Beltrami County Historical Society

We’ve received grants from both IMLS and NEH—funding that allowed us to:

• Identify and address critical preservation needs

• Bring professional preservation education to rural museum workers and volunteers

Without this support, local collections—rural photographs, oral histories, documents—will go unpreserved. Histories will fade into rust and dust.

Minnesota Humanities Council (MHC)

The MHC serves rural and underrepresented communities across our state. Federal cuts endanger its ability to:

• Fund cultural projects

• Support educators

• Elevate diverse community voices

Minnesota Digital Library & Minitex

Minitex, a cornerstone for equitable digital access in Minnesota, warns that federal funding threats could reduce library access, interlibrary loans, and preservation services statewide.

What Aspects of Our History Are Being Erased?

Targeted Censorship of Inclusive History

Recent actions go beyond budget cuts—federal agencies are actively scrubbing inclusive histories from public resources. Consider:

• Native American history: The Department of Defense removed content about the Navajo Code Talkers from military websites under new executive directives.

• Black history: The U.S. Army took down content honoring Sgt. Henry Johnson, an African American WWI hero.

• Women’s contributions: NASA deleted DEI-themed content, including graphic novels highlighting female astronauts.

• LGBTQIA+ stories: The National Park Service edited its Stonewall content, removing references to transgender and queer communities.

This is not passive neglect. It is active erasure—a direct attack on historical truth.

What Is Our Ethical Responsibility?

From the BCHS Code of Ethics:

“We believe the Society has an ethical and moral obligation to examine the history of all people, including those who have previously been socially, politically, and economically excluded.”

We are committed to:

• Promoting intercultural understanding

• Engaging with diverse communities

• Advocating for inclusive public policy

History belongs to everyone. Erasing voices distorts the truth—and weakens democracy.

What Can You Do to Help?

📣 Speak Up

Contact your local, state, and federal legislators. Urge them to reinstate and protect funding for IMLS, NEH, Minitex, National History Day, and humanities councils. Investment in history starts in the community—and elected officials need to hear that their constituents value historical truth. Find your elected officials here.

💸 Support Local Institutions

Donate to BCHS. We are on the front line of historical preservation in rural Minnesota. Your donation helps us safeguard and share the stories that make our communities unique.

🗣️ Educate Your Community

Host a conversation. Write a letter to the editor. Share this blog post. Awareness fuels action.

🙌 Volunteer With Us

You don’t need to be a historian to make a difference. We welcome all skills and passions—from family research and exhibit design to writing, organizing, and teaching. Let’s use history to build a more informed and connected future—together.

Are We Willing to Let Our History Be Rewritten?

This is a defining moment. Will we allow our shared past to be erased? Or will we invest in truth, equity, and memory?

At BCHS, we remain unwavering in our mission to collect, preserve, and share the stories of all people in our community. We will not be silent. We invite you to stand with us.

History is not a luxury. It is a right. It is a tool for justice. It is our story—together.