Historic Perspectives, Modern Initiatives
When Woodrow Wilson and his wife Edith retired from the White House in 1921 they made this house their home. Just off the beaten path of Embassy Row in the heart of Washington, D.C. the house is historically preserved - a time capsule from 1924 that is open daily to visitors.
Since 1963, the National Trust has opened the doors of the Woodrow Wilson House to the public, examining the impact of his consequential presidency and, more recently, taking an honest appraisal of Wilson’s triumphs and shortcomings.
Today, we are proud to steward this site as a vibrant community resource and a model of preservation and historical collections. We offer tours, programs, special events, rentals of the venue, exhibitions and educational programming.
Come visit us! Explore by taking a tour, engage with our education programs, discover our exhibitions, and celebrate a place and story that matters.
Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace Exhibition and Gala:
May 6
You are invited to the inaugural Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace exhibition, opening with a gala honoring the late Ambassador Esther Coopersmith on Monday, May 6, 2024 from 6:00 – 9:00 PM at the President Woodrow Wilson House.
Come see fashion from around the globe in the museum, then step into the back garden for a celebration with a light buffet and beverages (catered by Susan Gage). Dress in your best "state dinner" or “traditional cultural” attire and mingle with diplomats, politicians, fashion influencers, and the social elite of the nation’s capital, right in the heart of Embassy Row.
This event coincides with the Met Gala in New York City, but only in Washington, D.C. can you truly understand how fashion has the power to create peace.
In Remembrance: Ambassador Esther Lipsen Coopersmith (1930-2024)
It is with a heavy heart that we remember and honor the life and legacy of Ambassador Esther Coopersmith. Esther has been a lifelong neighbor on S Street and is the mother of one of our Advisory Council Members, Jonathan Coopersmith.
For over 70 years, Esther was an American diplomat, philanthropist, political lobbyist, and a champion for women's rights in many arenas. She bought people together from different cultures, religions, and backgrounds. The Woodrow Wilson House chose her for this exact reason to be the first honoree of our new exhibition and gala: Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace on May 6. We are proud to honor her posthumously at this year's inaugural event. We will never forget her many accomplishments and her generosity as a neighbor on S Street. Click here for more information about Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace.
Schedule Your Guided Tour!
Discover The President Woodrow Wilson House! One-hour guided general tours and Specialty tours are available during the times below and by appointment. With over 8,400 items in the collection, our artifacts speak volumes about Woodrow Wilson’s presidency and legacy. Learn about the historic site. Come tour with us!
Normal Operating Hours:
Sunday: Closed
1-Hour Guided Tours: Wednesdays, Thursdays, & Saturdays
30-Minute Highlight Tours: Mondays-Fridays (unless otherwise noted)
Specialty Tours: Mondays-Thursdays
No Self-Guided Tours
Holiday Operating Hours:
Walk Weekend 2024: May 18-19 (Hours to be posted before weekend)
Active Military and Veterans: Free admission
Call or e-mail for special appointments or group tours: 202-387-4062. Please note that group tours are $30/person.
NOW OPEN
Permanent Exhibit:
"Moving Toward Transparency: Woodrow Wilson's Legacy at 100"
Monday - Saturday
In this exhibition, we have meticulously curated a dual-sided narrative—one that pays tribute to the significant milestones of Wilson's presidency and, in equal measure, delves into the multifaceted controversies that have resonated through the decades. It is an exhibition that encapsulates both the brilliance and the complexities of Wilson's leadership, inviting us to examine, question, and contemplate.
In the News
- 09 Feb
75th Anniversary of The National Trust for Historic Preservation
Read moreWatch the promo video for the 75th anniversary of the founding of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The Woodrow Wilson House and staff features
- 29 Mar
Hidden Washington
Read moreHidden Washington does a deep dive and a visit behind closed doors at the museum. Hosted by Elena Tibbetts DomoNaut presents "Hidden Home Histories": Woodrow
Our impact
Each year, 10+ Wilson House Scholars work on meaningful projects shared with the wider community through Scholars in Action. We serve hundreds of DC-based teachers, as well as teachers following the National Standards for Civics & Government with our online lesson plans. This year over 75 Girl Scouts learned about civics, suffrage, and democracy. Urban explorers from all over the world visit our exhibitions and over 12,000 sets of eyes view our website each month!
National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) Grant: For the People, By the People
VIEW PROJECTMarder-Vaughn Center for Historic Sites Interpretation and Education Grant: Teacher-in-Residence at Woodrow Wilson House
VIEW PROJECTThank you to the Gills Grant for enabling us to continue our mission, our vision, and our impact on the community.
VIEW PROJECT15th Point Project
VIEW PROJECTNot much has changed at the Wilson House in the last 100 years, except the conversation. Here's what people are talking about today:
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Thank you so much to our tour guide –
Her tour was simply magnificent. She knew every detail – and spoke with such clarity, warmth, and authority.
Her considered personal conclusions on Mr. Wilson’s legacy were spell-binding.
James – A Guest -
It is a beautiful, beautiful property and we hope to visit again in the future. Our group had a wonderful time.
Thank you so much for your help in coordinating. This is quite frankly, a hidden gem in DC.
Heather, Broadcasters Association -
I cannot tell you how much our group enjoyed the Woodrow Wilson House. What a tremendous amount of knowledge our guide has – he truly made the Woodrow Wilson House even better than we expected.
Heather, Broadcasters Association -
What Black Lives Matter is confronting is also opening up new possibilities for quite profound change in the United States.
Dr. Kristoffer Smemo, History Professor at the University of Washington in St. Louis -
Out of every crisis we’ve ever had, there’s always been a catharsis afterwards. That’s not being a prophet, it’s simply just studying history and you’ll see that always happens.
Garrett Peck, Author, Historian, Tour Guide, and Wilson House Board Member -
If we only honor the big names and the loud women, we’re really missing what suffrage was all about – which is rights for all women.
Laura Kumin, author of All Stirred Up: Suffrage Cookbooks, Food, and the Battle for Women’s Right to Vote -
Many Americans don’t even realize America is full of so many paradoxes, but they are what makes America complicated but wonderful in diversity.
Dr. Johnathan Wharton -
America has its own problems but is making progress–taking one step backwards and two steps forward.
Attorney Chris Richardson -
For all of those individuals who are similarly interested in changing, shaping, having a
Brenda Jones, author of Queens of the Resistance
dynamic impact on America, politics is the place to do it. -
You don’t need to treat blacks and women special, just as equals.
Ambassador Joel Danies
Host Your Next Event at President Wilson House
At the President Wilson House you can entertain your guests in classic Washington style. Ideal for any size event, from small dinners to large receptions, Wilson House epitomizes the ‘Washington Scene’ and offers a unique glimpse into the history of our nation’s capital.
Whether it's a graduation, wedding, corporate dinner or milestone occasion, the President Wilson House offers an elegant setting for your special event.