The Smithsonian’s Secret Keeper Steps Aside

Lonnie Bunch’s decision to retire at year’s end brings an abrupt end to a tenure marked by unwavering dedication to the institution. However, his departure also marks the end of a series of battles with the Trump administration that distracted from and drained the secretary.

As secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, Bunch navigated treacherous waters with aplomb, safeguarding the integrity of America’s largest museum system against partisan encroachment. His relationship with the current administration was fraught from the start, as evident in his reluctance to kowtow to White House demands for ideological control.

Bunch wrote memos assuring staff and the public that the Smithsonian remained committed to scholarly inquiry, free from partisanship. However, this stance exacted a toll on Bunch’s physical and mental well-being. During our visit to the National Museum of American History, he expressed longing for a simpler life, one where his primary concern was writing rather than responding to Washington.

Toni Morrison once observed that racism serves as a distraction from meaningful work, forcing individuals into an endless cycle of explanation and justification. Similarly, the Trump administration’s attacks on the Smithsonian have diverted attention away from its core mission: preserving and showcasing America’s complex history.

Bunch’s repeated assertions about the institution’s commitment to scholarship and objectivity underscore a more profound concern – namely, that these clarifications are necessary at all. This raises fundamental questions about the role of cultural institutions in American life. As the country grapples with its troubled past and uncertain future, museums like the Smithsonian serve as beacons of truth and understanding.

They offer a respite from partisan politics, providing a common language through which we can engage with our collective heritage. Bunch’s legacy will undoubtedly shape the direction of these institutions in the years to come. His successor will inherit not only the weight of his responsibilities but also the complexities he helped create.

Yale historian David Blight noted that when Bunch steps down, he will gain a new platform from which to speak about the consequences of “history wars.” Whether or not he chooses to use this pulpit remains to be seen. The Smithsonian’s future is far from certain, and it would be naive to assume that the battles with Washington have subsided.

As the country continues to navigate its internal contradictions, institutions like the Smithsonian must remain vigilant in their pursuit of truth and knowledge. The stakes are high, and the world will be watching as Bunch departs and a new chapter unfolds. The next phase of the Smithsonian’s journey promises to be as tumultuous as the last.

Will it continue to serve as a beacon of hope and understanding, or will it succumb to the pressures of partisanship? Only time will tell. For now, we can be certain that Lonnie Bunch has left an indelible mark on American cultural life, one that will endure long after his tenure comes to an end.

In leaving, Bunch leaves behind a legacy of unwavering commitment to the Smithsonian’s mission. His dedication may have been tested by external forces, but it remains unshakeable. As he steps into this new chapter of his life, we are reminded that there is still much work to be done – and that the fight for truth, knowledge, and understanding will continue unabated.

The question on everyone’s mind now is: what next? Who will succeed Bunch and take up the mantle of defending America’s cultural heritage against the forces of partisanship? One thing is certain: the Smithsonian will remain a vital component of American life, an institution that embodies both our complexity and our capacity for greatness.