Smithsonian Institution Director Dr. Anthea Hartig is facing renewed scrutiny over her scholarly approach to history, with one historian arguing that she has promoted an activist and Marxist-informed methodology throughout her career rather than objective historical analysis.
Dr. Jody Edward Ginn, a historian who has studied Hartig's professional background, told Fox News Digital that his research indicates Hartig has long been known for pushing activist agendas in various leadership roles, including her recent tenure as director of the nation's premier museum system.
Ginn specifically pointed to Hartig's 1995 article titled "In a World He Has Created," published by the California Historical Society where she later served as executive director from 2011 to 2018. In that piece, Hartig drew on the economic and social theories of Karl Marx to analyze California's agricultural citrus industry, arguing that a wealthy ruling class had manipulated the landscape to reinforce its own power.
"The whole thing does not read as a scholarly historical examination," Ginn said. "It reads as advocating for a particular point of view, a Marxist-informed point of view, and not an objective historical analysis."
What the Right Is Saying
Conservative critics argue that Hartig's scholarly record reveals a pattern of using historical analysis to advance progressive policy goals. Ginn said his research into Hartig's professional background yielded accounts from former associates indicating she has long promoted activist approaches at traditional historical organizations.
Ginn also cited resurfaced video footage in which Hartig appears to assert that history should be used as a "tool of social justice." He argued this directly contradicts her congressional testimony about nonpartisanship. "She's denying it," Ginn said. "It's kind of hard to have an honest conversation about this, when they won't acknowledge the obvious."
Republican lawmakers have questioned whether federal funding for the Smithsonian should support institutions that prioritize advocacy over objective scholarship. Several House members pressed Hartig during July hearings on specific exhibitions and their alignment with nonpartisan educational goals.
What the Left Is Saying
Progressive historians and supporters of Hartig note that the Smithsonian under her leadership has worked to diversify representation in its exhibitions and collections, bringing attention to historically marginalized communities. The institution's mission statement emphasizes "the increase and diffusion of knowledge," language that does not mandate neutrality on interpretive approaches.
Hartig served as president of the Organization of American Historians in 2023, an organization whose website states it "actively collaborates with advocacy partners to support history and advance our mission." Her 2024 presidential address, published in the Journal of American History, focused on women's contributions to American history that she argued have been overlooked.
In her July testimony before Congress, Hartig stated that the Smithsonian's work is governed by nonpartisanship and "does not take sides in America's political debates." She has defended the institution's exhibitions as reflecting rigorous scholarship rather than political motivation.
What the Numbers Show
The Smithsonian Institution comprises 21 museums, galleries, and zoological parks, making it the world's largest museum, education, and research complex. The federal government appropriated approximately $1.07 billion for the Smithsonian in fiscal year 2025, according to appropriations documents.
Hartig became the first woman to serve as the Smithsonian's secretary when she was appointed in 2019. She previously led the California Historical Society from 2011 to 2018 and served as president of the OAH in 2023. Her scholarly work includes multiple peer-reviewed articles and books on American social history.
The Bottom Line
The controversy over Hartig reflects broader debates about the role of interpretation and perspective in publicly funded cultural institutions. Ginn argues that Hartig's career demonstrates a consistent approach prioritizing advocacy over objective scholarship, while defenders contend her work reflects evolving historical methodologies that acknowledge previously overlooked perspectives. Congressional oversight of Smithsonian activities continues as lawmakers seek to ensure federal funds support balanced educational programming.