The Whitney Plantation in Wallace, Louisiana was founded in 1752. It contained dozens of enslaved African Americans until the Civil War broke out. In 2014 the plantation was opened to the public. Unlike many similar 19th Century plantations, the site did not follow the example set by others. Instead of focusing on the elite white owners or using the site as a wedding venue, the Whitney Plantation tells the story of the slaves who were held here forcibly. DOGE has decided to cut off Federal funds to the plantation. The Federal government had granted money to help support its new exhibit on resistance to slavery. However, earlier this month the museum received a letter stating that the remaining $55,000 of the grant was being terminated and would not be paid.
Keith Sonderling, acting director of the Federal Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS ) sent a notice to the Whitney Plantation saying that the grant would be terminated in compliance with President Trump’s March Executive Order.
“Upon further review, IMLS has determined that your grant is unfortunately no longer consistent with the agency’s priorities and no longer serves the interest of the United States and the IMLS Program,” he wrote in a notice of grant termination, “IMLS is repurposing its funding allocations in a new direction in furtherance of the President’s agenda. Independently and secondly, the President’s March 14, 2025 executive order mandates that the IMLS eliminate all non-statutorily required activities and functions.”
This not the only hit the Whitney Plantation has taken since President Trump came to office. After a multi-year review by the National Park Service of the plantation’s request to designate the site as a landmark, in February the National Park Service denied the request.
Here is a short video focusing on what the Whitney Plantation contributes to education.
