Woodmere Art Museum Inc. sued the Trump administration on Tuesday, claiming the Institute of Museum and Library Services unlawfully terminated a $750,000 grant awarded to Woodmere under a historic preservation program.
Woodmere “has been scrambling ever since” its grant was rescinded in April, and was relying on the cash to carry out a project for its “America 250" exhibition next year, the museum claimed in a complaint filed in the US District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.
A coalition of states also challenged the administration’s cuts to the institute— a federal agency that supports the country’s museums and libraries—and other smaller agencies impacted by President Donald Trump’s March executive order directing that their statutory functions be reduced to the minimum required by law. A Rhode Island federal judge issued a preliminary injunction in May halting layoffs at the agencies. The government said in an Aug. 11 court filing in that case that IMLS employees were notified that reduction-in-force notices were rescinded.
The Woodmere Art Museum has a collection of 10,000 works ranging from the 18th century to modern day, and is “dedicated to telling the story of Philadelphia’s art and artists.” The museum was awarded $750,000 in 2024 under IMLS’ Save America’s Treasures program to fund projects revamping Woodmere’s cataloging system and digitizing works to support its 2026 celebration. Grant reimbursements are distributed quarterly, and Woodmere has received roughly $195,000 of the grant, the complaint says.
But due to staffing cuts at IMLS caused by Trump’s executive order, the agency isn’t capable of servicing existing grants and has started terminating funding, Woodmere alleges. The institute hasn’t responded to Woodmere’s requests to review the termination of its grant, and the museum says it’s already entered into several contracts and was aiming to complete its project by Sept. 30.
Woodmere asserts its “‘nationally significant’ collection of ‘America’s Treasures’ is also consistent with the President’s agenda, namely, to promote America’s heritage.”
The museum asserts the grant termination is unconstitutional and violates the Administrative Procedure Act. It’s seeking an injunction barring the IMLS and the Office of Management and Budget from implementing the March executive order and terminating Woodmere’s grant.
The White House and IMLS didn’t immediately respond to requests for comment.
Eastburn and Gray PC represents Woodmere.
The case is Woodmere Art Museum Inc. v. Trump, E.D. Pa., No. 2:25-cv-04887, complaint filed 8/26/25.
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