Woodrow Wilson House (Washington, D.C.) facts for kids
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Woodrow Wilson House
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The Woodrow Wilson House in November 2020
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 Location in Washington, D.C.
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| Location | 2340 S St., NW Washington, D.C., U.S. |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| Built | 1915 |
| Architect | Waddy Butler Wood |
| Architectural style | Georgian Revival |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000873 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | July 19, 1964 |
The Woodrow Wilson House was the home of Woodrow Wilson, who was the 28th president of the United States. He lived here after his time as president. This historic house is located at 2340 S Street NW in Washington, D.C., near the area known as Embassy Row. President Wilson passed away in an upstairs bedroom of this house on February 3, 1924. In 1964, the house was named a National Historic Landmark, which means it's a very important place in American history. Today, the National Trust for Historic Preservation owns the house and runs it as a museum, so people can visit and learn about President Wilson's life.
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History of the Wilson House
This beautiful house was built in 1915 by Henry Fairbanks. It was designed by a well-known Washington architect named Waddy Butler Wood.
President Wilson's New Home
President Woodrow Wilson bought the house in the last few months of his second term as president. He bought it as a special gift for his wife, Edith Bolling Wilson. He gave her the official ownership papers in December 1920, even though he had never seen the house himself!
The former president and his wife moved into their new home on March 4, 1921. This day was Inauguration Day back then. Today, Inauguration Day is on January 20.
Changes to the House
President Wilson made some changes to the house to make it more comfortable for him. He added a special room for playing billiards. He also added shelves for his huge collection of over 8,000 books. A small, one-story brick garage was also built for their cars.
Wilson's Last Public Appearance
The balcony of the house was the place where President Wilson made his very last public appearance. This happened on November 11, 1923, when he spoke to a crowd gathered outside.
Even though the Wilsons didn't have many visitors, some important people did come to see the former president. These included former British Prime Minister David Lloyd George and former French Prime Minister Georges Clemenceau. They visited Wilson when he was not feeling well.
Edith Wilson's Legacy
After President Wilson passed away in 1924, his wife Edith continued to live in the house. She lived there until her own death on December 28, 1961. During her time in the house, she even hosted First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy for a meal in the formal dining room.
When Edith Wilson died, she left the house and all of its original furniture to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. This generous gift made sure that the house would be preserved and shared with the public as a museum.
See also
