The 11 Most Endangered Historic Places in America: A Reflection on Our Past, Present, and Future
The National Trust for Historic Preservation has released its annual list of the 11 most endangered historic places in the United States, marking America's 250th anniversary with a focus on the foundational principle of equality. This year's list highlights sites that have been threatened by various actions, including the Trump administration's policies, and offer a glimpse into the nation's history of fighting against injustice and for equality.
One of the most notable sites is the Stonewall National Monument, the first and only U.S. national monument dedicated to LGBTQ+ history. The monument has faced threats from the Trump administration, including the removal of the rainbow Pride flag and the excision of references to transgender people from its website and materials. This reflects a broader trend of the administration's efforts to remove or alter materials that it deems "divisive or partisan" or "inappropriately disparaging to Americans.".
The President's House Site in Philadelphia is another site that has been threatened by the Trump administration. The site, which was once the home of George Washington, the first U.S. president, has had its exhibits on the lives of nine people enslaved at the site in the 1790s removed. This reflects a broader effort by the administration to remove information that it deems "disparaging" to Americans.
The Ben Moore Hotel in Montgomery, Alabama, is another site that has been threatened by the Trump administration. The hotel was a refuge for Black people living under laws that enforced racial separation in the South, and it housed key players from the Civil Rights Movement, including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and Rev. Ralph Abernathy. The hotel has been threatened by prolonged vacancy and pressure from development.
The Tule Lake Segregation Center in Modoc County, California, is another site that has been threatened by the Trump administration. The site was once a camp for Japanese Americans who were thought to be disloyal to the United States, and it is now a national monument managed by the National Park Service. Only 37 acres of the 1,100-acre site is protected, and most of it is at risk of permanent alteration from a proposed nearby construction project.
The El Corazon Sagrado de la Iglesia de Jesus in Ruidosa, Texas, is another site that has been threatened by the Trump administration. The church served as a refuge and place of worship for Mexican and Mexican American farming communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border along the Rio Grande River, and it has been vacant since the 1950s. The church is threatened by the proposed construction of a U.S. border wall that could come within a few hundred yards of the property.
The Greater Chaco Cultural Landscape in New Mexico, Colorado, Arizona, and Utah is another site that has been threatened by the Trump administration. The landscape is an ancestral homeland sustained for over a millennium by the Pueblo and Hopi people, and it is threatened by changes to federal land policy that could open up significant portions to oil and gas development. Permanent protections and tribal consultation are needed to protect its cultural integrity.
The Women's Rights National Historical Park in Seneca Falls, New York, is another site that has been threatened by the Trump administration. The park tells the story of the first Women's Rights Convention, held in Seneca Falls in July 1848, and it faces a deferred maintenance backlog of over $10 million. Additional funding and support are needed to help preserve the park as a place to teach visitors about the history of women's rights.
The Swansea Friends Meeting House in Somerset, Massachusetts, is another site that has been threatened by the Trump administration. The meeting house was built in 1701 to serve as a refuge by a congregation fleeing religious persecution and looking for a safe place to worship, and it has been closed for years and needs significant rehabilitation.
The Detroit Association of Women's Clubs in Detroit, Michigan, is another site that has been threatened by the Trump administration. The association was one of the first Black organizations in Detroit to own their headquarters building, which was purchased in 1941, but the building has been closed since 2024 due to water pipe damage. Money is needed to help the association reopen the building.
The Hanging Rock Revolutionary War Battlefield in Heath Springs, South Carolina, is another site that has been threatened by the Trump administration. The Battle of Hanging Rock was a key battle in the Southern Campaigns of the Revolutionary War and is considered a Patriot victory that helped boost morale and weaken British control in South Carolina. Only portions of the core battlefield are protected and open to the public, with the area anticipating population growth and increasing development pressures.
In conclusion, the 11 most endangered historic places in the United States reflect the nation's history of fighting against injustice and for equality. These sites offer a glimpse into the past, present, and future of the United States, and they highlight the importance of preserving our history and heritage. It is crucial that we take action to protect these sites and ensure that they are preserved for future generations.
