Grand Haven, MI – The Tri-Cities Historical Museum (TCHM) is closely monitoring the White House’s announcement of two executive orders, and possibly a third later this week, that will impact the museum field, our nonprofit community, and the Tri-Cities community we serve.
On March 14, the White House issued an executive order titled “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” which sought to virtually eliminate the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The American Library Association and the American Alliance of Museums, among many others, responded quickly to voice significant concerns and provide courses of action for people to take to work on behalf of IMLS. However, on March 31, the Trump administration put the entire staff of the IMLS on administrative leave. The staff was told not to come into the office for at least 90 days and can no longer access IMLS email accounts. An IMLS employee informed Artnet that the Trump administration plans to cancel 891 open awards to museums with $180 million in federal funds. IMLS has effectively been shut down.
On March 27, the Whitehouse issued a second executive order titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History,” the order directs Vice President JD Vance to “eliminate improper, divisive, or anti-American ideology from the Smithsonian and its museums, education and research centers, and the National Zoo.” Sec. 4. Restoring Truth in American History outlines:
“It is the policy of my Administration to restore Federal sites dedicated to the history, including parks and museums, to solemn and uplifting public monuments that remind Americans of our extraordinary heritage, consistent progress toward becoming a more perfect Union, and unmatched record of advancing liberty, prosperity, and human flourishing. Museums in our Nation’s capital should be places where individuals go to learn — not to be subjected to ideological indoctrination or divisive narratives that distort our shared history.”
On Monday, March 31, 2025, the National Humanities Alliance learned that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) is targeting the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH), intending to reduce its staff substantially, cut the agency’s grant programs, and rescind grants that have already been awarded. Each year, NEH provides critical support to history organizations for public programs, exhibits, infrastructure, scholarship, and more. The American Association of State and Local History summarized the impact these cuts would have in their statement on April 2, stating: “Last year, 12 AASLH members received the Save America’s Treasures grant program, a joint initiative of the National Park Service, IMLS, and NEH. An additional 11 AASLH members were among 478 projects across the country that received $63.7 million in funding in 2024. Support from the NEH has also made AASLH resources possible, such as the 2022 National Census of History Organizations and the Making History at 250 field guide.
TCHM was founded in 1959 to ‘create connections to local history,’ bringing to life the stories of Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, and Spring Lake through exhibitions, education programs, and community outreach. While TCHM is not a federal site and does not receive annual funding from the State of Michigan or the federal government, these executive orders are profoundly concerning and signal a significant change in the museum field. The TCHM believes that history is essential in helping us understand our culture and our community. Furthermore, the TCHM is also a member of the American Alliance of Museums and The American Association of State and Local History and shares their concerns for future museums, libraries, and arts/cultural organizations nationwide.
Despite recent challenges, the future of museums, libraries, and nonprofits remains hopeful because of the resilience and dedication of the communities they serve. Through strong local support, creative partnerships, and a commitment to preserving and sharing our local stories, TCHM hopes that access to local history, education, and the arts remains a priority. TCHM encourages visitors and supporters to share their thoughts on the recent executive orders with their Congressional and Senate representatives.
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