Smithsonian’s first Black leader Lonnie Bunch III announces retirement after historic tenure

The historian made history as the institution’s first Black secretary and will depart as the Smithsonian faces a political battle over its presentation of U.S. history.

Lonnie G. Bunch III, the Smithsonian Institution’s first Black secretary, is retiring at the end of 2026 after nearly eight years leading the nation’s largest museum and research complex. His departure comes as the Trump administration has intensified scrutiny of the Smithsonian’s exhibitions and approach to telling American history.

Lonnie Bunch III is preparing to leave the Smithsonian at a consequential moment for one of the country’s most influential cultural institutions. Bunch, 73, announced that he will retire by the end of the year after serving as Smithsonian secretary since 2019. He is the first Black person and the first historian to hold the position. His departure comes amid an escalating dispute between the Smithsonian and the Trump administration over presentation of American history.

As secretary, Bunch oversaw the Smithsonian’s 21 museums, libraries, National Zoo and research centers. He also launched a $2.5 billion fundraising campaign in 2024 that surpassed its target ahead of schedule in 2026. His tenure has also included efforts to expand the Smithsonian’s representation of communities which historically received less attention.

The administration has criticized what it describes as an overly activist approach to U.S. history. In July, the White House issued a lengthy report criticizing the Smithsonian’s exhibitions and historical interpretation. The administration subsequently pressed the institution to make changes. More recently, the Trump administration threatened to withdraw federal agencies’ support for the Smithsonian, including artifact loans and certain grants, while demanding changes to leadership.

Bunch, however, says the political pressure was not the reason for his retirement. According to The Washington Post, Bunch said he decided to retire in late August while vacationing with his family. The decision came before the Interior Department sent its latest letter to Smithsonian leaders. He had originally planned to serve five years but ultimately remained in the position for nearly eight.

The National Museum of African American History and Culture is also marking its 10th anniversary this year. The milestone makes Bunch’s impending departure particularly significant for an institution closely associated with his legacy. The museum has scheduled a September conversation with Bunch reflecting on its first decade