Uprooted: How local action can save our national heritage

We’re witnessing early signs of cultural destabilization due to sweeping changes at the federal level. Key revenue streams like tourism and institutional support are vanishing nationwide—leaving your local organizations vulnerable and subject to the ripple effects of the broader devaluation of history, art, and culture.

Powerful disruptions are tugging at the roots of our very own ecosystems, and it’s hitting uncomfortably close to home.  

Here’s what’s happening where the Relicura team lives, in Oregon:

NW Digital Heritage, once financially anchored (in part) by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), is at risk. NWDH is a digital repository that chronicles the history of Oregon and Washington by bringing together dozens of collections from disparate organizations and small (previously inaccessible) heritage centers. It also provides pro bono technical support, frequently loans digitization equipment, and hosts data from small organizations for free. For a program that so obviously benefits American constituents, it’s inconceivable that it could be threatened with extinction. Federally-funded programs such as this one require reporting, transparency of finances, and use statistics reporting. This is not a dark hole where funding disappears and government officials have access to this information. Not to mention the thousands of constituent letters, op-eds, articles, and other coverage to log the community cost of losing IMLS funding.

Watch this space for further reporting on IMLS, NEH, and NPS impact.

Washington County’s 5 Oaks Museum, long supported (in part) by county funding, was denied future financial assistance. This abrupt financial deficit forced the nonprofit’s closure and has subsequently put the collection in limbo. The county’s plan to divest itself of the collection has understandably raised community concern as it has terminated public access in the short-term with the risk of becoming permanent. Divestment also rings alarm bells as there are ethical and legal standards the collection stewards should adhere to as they begin the extremely labor intensive process of dismantling a public-owned collection. It’s a prospect so daunting and costly, that it makes us wonder why a county would even consider pursuing it.

In this local ecosystem example, many community members and professional colleagues submitted letters of support to the commissioners, wrote persuasive op-eds, used social media to rally support, and shared alternative funding ideas such as the Oregon Historical Society’s use of a renewable County levy to maintain a stable income stream. The fate of the Washington County collection is currently unknown as the County continues its discovery process. At this May 13, 2025 meeting the County independently confirmed information that was shared fervently by the community: this is a process that will take time and expertise, and it will be very expensive. Whatever occurs next, the community’s intensive attention and advocacy on this matter is undeniable. 

The Salem Public Library is only one of several organizations affected by upcoming budget cuts. Due to a $13.8 million deficit in the city’s budget, the city proposed cuts to the library’s budget totaling  $2.98 million – a 49% reduction. The cuts include:

• The closure of the West Salem library branch;
• The loss of 23 jobs (a 61% reduction in staffing); 
• Downsizing internal and outreach programming; and
• Reducing the library’s operating hours by 50% down to only 20 hours a week. 

In addition to the reduction of library services, Parks and Recreation as well as the Center 50+ program have experienced significant budget cuts.

While $2.98 million might not seem like much when compared to the $13.89 million deficit, in the context of an already small budget we can see that the impact is significant. The number of programs, resources, and jobs lost inflicts severe damage to the local ecosystem. Cuts to the library at this scale is yet another example of how government officials are devaluing important community resources. Public libraries uphold the right to read and access information freely. If we allow these institutions to be politicized, defunded, or undermined, we risk a future where knowledge is privatized, truth becomes inaccessible, and human potential is stifled. 

There is some hope for the Library, Parks and Recreation, and Center 50+ program, however. In the local election coming at the end of May, there is a levy on the ballot that would raise property taxes in order to aid these organizations and others like them. This levy is independent of the budget cuts and would hopefully cancel out if not negate the cuts over time.The levy is estimated to generate around $14 million in 2026. We’ll simply have to wait and see the results of the ballot in the upcoming weeks.

In regards to the overwhelming benefits local libraries bring to our communities, we encourage you to check out this new PBS documentary that beautifully captures the spirit of the public library as a democratizing force for good.

FREE FOR ALL: THE PUBLIC LIBRARY

Speaking of the PBS, it is yet another cultural institution under fire, and they could use your support. Please consider donating to the cause.

PATTERNS

What do the above examples have in common? The negative patterns we see: 

• Demonstrate the increasing precarity of funding sources that previously could be relied upon.
• Show a desire by some elected officials to divest communities of their local resources: art and historical collections as well as library services. 

This ripping of cultural heritage out by the roots is evidence of a broader and increasingly pervasive devaluation for all things history, art, and culture. And by the very government offices and agencies that use to support the American people’s cultural heritage. However, there’s also an increase in the public’s reactivity toward the wrenching away of community resources. We’re seeing resistance and advocacy in action at a grassroots level. The positive trends show:

• People investing time into understanding the impact of decisions made at the local level. Communities are showing up to local meetings, writing or calling their representatives, crafting letters of support, organizing themselves for advocacy efforts in-person and on social media, and writing op-eds to increase awareness.
• Local communities taking some power back through self-initiated fundraising, such as this grassroots campaign led by a Chicago pastor to save “The Blacksonian” (aka the Smithsonian's National Museum of African American History and Culture) from threats of funding cuts. This congregant-driven rescue plan is proof that crowdfunding and community-resourcing can really move the needle.
• Private foundations stepping in to increase funding or provide bridge funding for programs previously supported by agencies like the Institute for Museum and Library Services (IMLS). The Mellon Foundation, for example, announced $15M in emergency funding to bridge the IMLS funding gap for state humanities councils–helping to ensure at least some resources remain at the local level.  

HOW YOU CAN SHOW UP

The current (and foreseeable) climate demands a radical rethink of how we fund, defend, and advocate for cultural heritage. The suggestions for advocacy, innovation, and solidarity in this section offer ideas from what we’ve observed occurring both at the local and national levels. 

Defend & Advocate

• Use your institution’s and your personal social media channels to raise awareness. Consider blog posts, interviews, and even guest spots on community radio or podcasts to draw attention to your cause and expand your network of support.
• The National Council on Public History shares press and op-ed resources. Do you work at an organization that was defunded? Share your story using this customizable press release. Wish to share your story as an individual supporting your local history, art, and culture ecosystem? Draft op-eds like this to submit to your local media.
• Notify your State Historic Preservation Officers (SHPOs) of impacts experienced at your local organization so they can flex their role in helping you best advocate for your collections. 

This blog post content was originally included in our community newsletter, which was sent on May 22, 2025: The Moment -- where we respond quickly and thoughtfully to impactful events and decisions that challenge or disrupt our profession.