Woodrow Wilson certainly ranks at the top when it comes to the effectiveness of our United States Presidents. As the 28th leader of our country, Wilson came from a devout Presbyterian family and was a noted intellectual and the president of Princeton University. He authored more than fifteen books, one being about President George Washington in one of the very few writings by a President about a President. With William Howard Taft and Teddy Roosevelt dividing the Republican vote, Wilson was elected in 1912 and guided the country through its first major crisis since the Civil War - leading us to victory in the Great War and in the meantime, being elected for a second term.
My exposure to sites related to President Wilson occurred during three different trips over the course of ten years. And as of this writing, I’m still not finished…
Thursday, August 9, 2007 - Woodrow Wilson Birthplace / Woodrow Wilson Library - Bob and I visited the combined birthsite, childhood home, and the unofficial Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum during our excursion around Virginia. This was all located on a spot of ground in Stuanton, Virginia. Although not an ‘official’ Presidential Library, this one was quite enjoyable and included Wilson’s original 1919 Pierce-Arrow limosuine. The museum was dedicated by President Franklin Roosevelt in 1941.
At Wilson’s front door
The rear of the Manse
With special privileges, me with the bed where Wilson was born
At the Wilson Museum
I found the history of the restoration of Wilson’s Pierce-Arrow so fascinating, I bought a book about it as a souvenir
Wilson was born here in 1856 and although he only lived here for a short time, as President-elect he returned to this very house - known as the Manse - for a visit for his 56th birthday in 1912. Typically, there are no photos allowed in the house, but since Bob had informed the docent that this was his ‘final’ Presidential Library to visit (both official and non-official), she let us sneak end at the end of the tour to be photographed by the bed on which Woodrow Wilson was born.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006 - Woodrow Wison Boyhood Home - Bob, Ashleigh, and I visited Wilson’s boyhood home when we discovered that it was located near our hotel in Augusta, where we were staying for the 2006 Sons of the Desert Convention. Further details of our visit can be seen here.
Ashleigh and me knocking on Wilson’s boyhood front door
Summer 1998 - Woodrow Wilson Grave - As of this writing, I still do not consider that I have visited the grave of Wilson, the only President to be buried within the borders of Washington D.C. During my 2007 trip through Virginia, Bob and I planned to get to the Washington Cathedral and see his tomb, but for various reasons never made it. However, I did visit the Washington Cathedral in the Spring of 1998 with my wife Lisa and her family and grabbed a snapshot of the Cathedral. At the time, I didn’t even know that this was Wilson’s final resting place. So you might say I half-visited it.
Continue to the next President…
Return to Thursday in Virginia…
Wilson was okay, but my favorite presidents are Eisenhower and Teddy Roosevelt.
Amber
January 17th, 2008