By Julianne Patterson
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June 30, 2025
Statement from Preservation Durham Condemning the Removal of LGBTQ+ References from the Pauli Murray Center’s National Park Service Pages Durham NC — March 7, 2025— Preservation Durham, a dedicated advocate for historic preservation and inclusive storytelling across Durham County, stands in unwavering solidarity with the Pauli Murray Center for History and Social Justice in condemning the National Park Service’s (NPS) removal of references to Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray’s nonbinary gender identity from its official pages on the historic site in Durham, North Carolina. Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray was a pioneering legal scholar, civil rights activist, Episcopal priest, and a key architect of social justice movements in the United States. Their profound contributions to law, gender equity, and human rights are inextricably linked to their lived experience as a nonbinary and queer individual. Any attempt to erase these critical aspects of Murray’s identity undermines the historic integrity of their legacy and diminishes the rich, complex history of the site the Pauli Murray Center works diligently to preserve. Last year, Preservation Durham recognized the Center with an Award of Merit for their preservation of the site and expansive programing and interpretation. The Pauli Murray Family Home was designated a National Historic Landmark (NHL) in 2016 and is one of only four NHLs in Durham. Yet, despite this recognition of national significance, less than a decade later, Murray’s identity and contributions as a queer and nonbinary person are now being erased from the narrative. This is particularly alarming given that less than 1% of all recognized historic sites listed in the National Register of Historic Places focus on the experiences of LGBTQ+ people, making the preservation of these stories and experiences even more essential. “Historic preservation is about safeguarding not only physical spaces but also the full breadth of the histories they represent,” said Julianne Patterson, Executive Director of Preservation Durham. “Erasing reference to Pauli Murray’s gender identity from the National Park Service’s recognition of their home site is an affront to the very principles of historical accuracy and inclusion. We join the Pauli Murray Center in demanding that these references be restored and that NPS uphold its mission to preserve our nation’s natural and cultural resources and educate and inspire future generations.” Amanda Boyd, President of Preservation Durham, emphasized the importance of preserving the full truth of Murray’s life: “Pauli Murray’s legacy is one of courage, justice, and the unshakable belief in the dignity of all people. To honor their full story—including their identity as a queer, gender-expansive person—is not just an act of truth, but of justice. Non-binary and gender-expansive people have existed across cultures and throughout history, and any attempt to erase or alter this part of Pauli’s identity distorts both their legacy and our understanding of history. The Pauli Murray Center’s work ensures that future generations know and celebrate the entirety of who Pauli was and the profound impact of their life’s journey.” As an organization committed to ensuring that history is preserved in its fullest form, we reject this attempt to rewrite or distort the past. Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray’s story must be honored in its entirety, and we call upon the National Park Service to immediately reinstate the accurate and complete historical representation of their identity and contributions. We urge all those who value truth in history and the preservation of marginalized voices to stand with us in advocating for the restoration of this vital recognition and support the Center’s mission and efforts to uplift the full, unedited legacy of Rev. Dr. Pauli Murray. Digital documentation of changes on NPS websites: Side-by-side comparison of NPS page for the Pauli Murray Family Home viewed via the Internet Archive comparing changes seen in the page as viewed from February 3, 2025 and March 7, 2025. https://web.archive.org/web/diff/20250202105735/20250307142847/https://www.nps.gov/places/pauli-murray-family-home.htm Biographical Page on Pauli Murray associated with the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site. Viewed via the Internet Archive February 10, 2025. This page is no longer available: https://web.archive.org/web/20250210170049/https://www.nps.gov/people/pauli-murray.htm Update 05/01/2025: Pauli Murray Center one of the many landmarks across the nation affected by anti-DEI restrictions. In February, reference to the history of local activist Pauli Murray’s Queer identities was stripped from the official National Park Service page for the Pauli Murray Family House National Historic Landmark page. A second, biographical page connecting Murray’s history to the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site was completed removed. Last month, the center was notified that a multi-year grant worth $330,800 from the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), a federal organization, was terminated. This money was dedicated to fund a staff position and educational programs to help curate the first exhibit at the home, “Pauli Murray: Coming Home.” The justification behind the removal of this Grant was, “[the] Grant is no longer consistent with the [IMLS’s] priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States and the IMLS Program.” This reasoning is due to a March 14, 2025 Executive Order 14238, “Continuing the Reduction of the Federal Bureaucracy,” and increasing attacks on any history aligned with diversity, equity, and inclusion. Preservation Durham adamantly denounces the federal government’s abuse of power and attempts at erasing our nation’s history. It is important, now more than ever, to support our local partners like the Pauli Murray Center who continue to advocate for all-encompassing histories. An attack on our collective work as cultural historians to expand and include diverse, equitable and inclusive stories, is an attack on history and a means to quiet those who have been most negatively affected by our government and society throughout our nations history. If you want to support the Pauli Murray Center, you can sign this letter to send to your representatives, donate to, and visit the Pauli Murray Center.
