What Lonnie Bunch Told Me
He was ready for life after the Smithsonian. Protecting the institution had taken a toll.
Lonnie Bunch, the secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, revealed in February that he would be retiring at the end of the year. He spoke of a future where he would have more time to write and spend with his grandchildren. Bunch announced his retirement in a statement, expressing pride, sadness, gratitude, and joy, and confidence in the people who would lead the museum institution forward.
The retirement was influenced by the Trump administration's pressure, but not directly. Bunch had endured constant threats, pressure to maintain nonpartisanship, and the potential for funding cuts. He had longed to focus on writing and spending time with his family. Bunch acknowledged that his time defending the Smithsonian's mission was a distraction from its core purpose.
Despite Trump's claims and actions, the Smithsonian continued to attract visitors, demonstrating its importance in American life. When asked about the moment Bunch would leave his post, historian David Blight noted that Bunch could use his platform to speak about the history wars. Bunch has hinted at more to say after his retirement, and whoever takes his place will face a challenging task, given Bunch's respected position within the field and among the general public.
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