Valerie Foushee

A Democratic lawmaker is calling on the National Park Service (NPS) to conduct a review of the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument in Washington, D.C., after raising concerns about the condition and presentation of some exhibits at the site.

Representative Valerie Foushee of North Carolina said on Wednesday that she had sent a letter to the NPS seeking information about the monument's maintenance and modernization needs.

The request follows concerns about exhibit materials displayed at the museum, including what Foushee described as a handwritten note serving as a plaque above a desk belonging to women's rights leader Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

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"The Monument plays an important role in preserving a defining chapter of our nation's story, and it is essential that its exhibits reflect the significance of that legacy in a professional, engaging, and well-maintained manner," Foushee wrote in the July 8 letter.

The Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument, located on Capitol Hill, preserves the historic headquarters of the National Woman's Party and tells the story of the women's suffrage and equal rights movements in the United States.

Newsweek reached out to the National Park Service and Valerie Foushee via email for comment.

What Did Valerie Foushee Say?

In a post on X, Foushee said she contacted the NPS "regarding the lack of upkeep" at the monument.

"For example, there is currently a handwritten note functioning as a plaque above a desk belonging to Elizabeth Cady Stanton, a leader of the women's rights movement," Foushee wrote.

In her letter, addressed to Jacqueline Ashwell, acting assistant director for legislative and congressional affairs at the National Park Service, Foushee said the display was "inconsistent with the significance of the site and the standards visitors expect at a national monument."

Foushee asked whether the agency would conduct an audit or formal review of the site's exhibits, identify areas that may require repair or enhancement, and provide an estimate of the costs associated with any improvements.

The request comes as monuments and historic sites across Washington, D.C., have received increased attention from the federal government in recent months, including proposed changes to the Smithsonian Institution and plans for a new White House ballroom.

What Is the Belmont-Paul Women's Equality National Monument?

The monument occupies the former headquarters of the National Woman's Party, the organization that played a central role in the fight for women's suffrage and later campaigned for the Equal Rights Amendment.

Designated a national monument by President Barack Obama in 2016, the site preserves artifacts connected to some of the most influential figures in the women's rights movement, including Stanton, a leading suffragist who helped organize the 1848 Seneca Falls Convention and co-authored the landmark Declaration of Sentiments.

Foushee's letter specifically referenced a display above Stanton's desk. While it is not immediately clear whether the desk was used by Stanton herself or is associated with her legacy through the museum's collections, exhibits tied to Stanton are among the monument's key interpretive displays because of her role in launching the organized campaign for women's rights in the United States.

She added in her letter that the monument offers "a unique opportunity to educate visitors about the promise of equality in the United States" and said it should be maintained to "the highest standard."

What Happens Next

Foushee is seeking a response from the National Park Service regarding the current condition of exhibits at the monument, potential maintenance needs and whether existing federal funding could be used to address any identified issues.

The agency has not yet publicly responded to the request.