Current Campaigns
The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum has embarked on an historic campaign to raise $1.5 million to acquire, renovate, retrofit, and endow a beautiful historic two-story mansion, called Kenwood by its previous owners, directly adjacent 
to the Dolores Lescure Center, which houses the Woodrow Wilson Museum. This building will be renovated into a comprehensive Library and Research Center that will be fully integrated into the existing campus. Converting this historic property into a premier library and research center is an elegant, appropriate, and responsible answer to pressing needs for additional space. The building is an immediate solution for the responsible storage of papers in a state-of-the-art archival storage system, and is large enough to support future acquisitions.
Moving the library and archival functions from the Dolores Lescure Center to this new facility will also have the benefit of opening up space for enhanced educational programs and growing tourism to the Museum. The purchase and retrofitting of this property will create a cohesive campus filled with historic buildings while retaining and preserving a home consistent with Victorian Staunton at a cost that is 300% less expensive than new construction. Put another way, a new library and archive is a major step in the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum's goal of creating a public institution that uses history to promote civic health at a time of tremendous need – for Virginia, for our nation, and for the world.
did you know?
Wilson was president throughout World War I. He attempted to keep America out of
the war and even won reelection with the slogan "He kept us out of war." Nonetheless,
after the sinking of the Lusitania, continued run-ins with German submarines, and
the release of the Zimmerman Telegram, America became involved. with the Lusitania,
the continued harassment of American ships by German submarines, and the release
of the Zimmerman Telegram meant that America joined the allies in April, 1917.
Woodrow Wilson was President when the 19th amendment was ratified in 1920 giving
women the right to vote.
Wilson piloted the ship that brought America onto the world stage. He made the first
steps of leading us out of isolationism, violating Washington's tenet of avoiding
foreign entanglements.
He led America during World War I. His fervent hope was for the US to join a League
of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations.
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "Life does not consist in thinking, it consists in acting."
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "The Constitution was not made to fit us like a straitjacket.
In its elasticity lies its chief greatness."
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "I believe in democracy because it releases the energies
of every human being."
The Seventeenth Amendment was formally adopted on May 31, 1913. Wilson had been
president for almost three months at the time. The amendment provided for the direct
election of senators. Prior to its adoption, Senators were chosen by state legislatures.
Wilson was the first president to receive a PhD which he got in Political Science
from Johns Hopkins University. He had received his undergraduate degree from the
College of New Jersey, renamed Princeton University in 1896.
Woodrow Wilson could not read during the first decade of his life. Though undiagnosed,
he may have suffered from a learning disability
Woodrow Wilson was known as "Tommy" until his college years.
Woodrow Wilson during his boyhood, helped establish the "Lightfoot Baseball Club"
with his friends. Wilson played second base and was an avid sport fan throughout
his adult life.
Woodrow Wilson was the first president to attend the Major League Baseball Fall
Classic. He saw the debut of a young 20 year old pitcher by the name of George Herman
"Babe" Ruth.
Woodrow Wilson was a graduate of Princeton University and Johns Hopkins University
and the only president to hold an earned doctoral degree.
Woodrow Wilson image is on the $100,000 bill although it is no longer in circulation
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