In January 1919, following the end of World War I, President Woodrow Wilson embarked upon a five-day trip to Italy. In Europe for the Paris Peace Conference, Wilson was the first American President to visit the continent while in office.

On his journey Wilson would meet with Italian dignitaries and luminaries including King Victor Emmanuel III, Prime Minister Vittorio Orlando, inventor Guglielmo Marconi, and Pope Benedict XV. This would be the first meeting between an American President and a Pope in history.

Everywhere Wilson went, from Rome to Genoa, Milan to Turin, he was hailed as the “Saviour of humanity,” the “God of Peace.” Great crowds came from far and wide to hear him speak or to catch a glimpse of his carriage as he travelled through the city streets.

This exhibition marks the 90th anniversary of President Wilson’s historic trip to Italy. The photographs included are reproduced from the United States Army Signal Corps collection at Woodrow Wilson House, a National Trust Historic Site in Washington, DC.

To View the ON-LINE EXHIBIT andJourney with President Wilson on his historic visit to Italy please enter here.