For more than 100 years, the President Woodrow Wilson House has preserved the story of a pivotal era in American history. Today, we are preserving the House itself, ensuring that it continues to educate and inspire generations to come.
A Once-in-a-Generation Investment in America's History
The President Woodrow Wilson House is embarking on one of the most significant preservation projects in its history.
More than a century after the house was built, the museum is undertaking a comprehensive infrastructure improvement that will modernize critical building systems while preserving the historic character of this National Trust for Historic Preservation site for generations to come.
At the heart of the project is the installation of a state-of-the-art climate control system that will protect the historic structure, its nationally significant collections, and the thousands of visitors who experience the Wilson House each year.
This investment ensures that the museum can continue fulfilling its mission to preserve history, educate future generations, and serve as a place for thoughtful dialogue and civic engagement.
Project Timeline
2025-2026
- Planning and engineering
- Fundraising
- Collections cataloging
- Conservation and object preparation
- Construction planning
Fall 2026
- Museum closes to the public
- Collections relocation
- Construction mobilization
2026-2027
- HVAC installation
- Building infrastructure improvements
- Environmental upgrades
- Preservation work throughout the historic house
Reopening
When the project is complete, visitors will experience a museum better equipped to preserve its historic collections while providing an improved visitor experience.
Why This Project Matters
Historic house museums face unique preservation challenges.
Unlike modern buildings, historic structures were never designed to maintain the stable temperature and humidity required to protect museum collections or provide year-round comfort for visitors and staff.
For many years, portions of the Wilson House have experienced significant seasonal fluctuations in temperature and humidity. These conditions place stress on the building itself and can accelerate the deterioration of wood, textiles, paper, paintings, and other historic materials.
The new climate control system will provide stable environmental conditions throughout the museum, improving the preservation of the house and its collections while creating a more comfortable and accessible experience for visitors, researchers, staff, and volunteers.
Protecting the Collections
Every object in the Wilson House collection is being carefully prepared for the project.
Museum professionals are documenting, photographing, cataloging, conserving, packing, and relocating thousands of artifacts and archival materials before construction begins. This extraordinary effort ensures that every object remains protected throughout the project while creating a stronger foundation for future exhibitions, research, and collections care.
The work taking place today will benefit the museum for decades to come.
More Than an HVAC System
This project represents far more than replacing mechanical equipment.
It is an investment in:
- Preservation of a National Historic Landmark
- Protection of nationally significant museum collections
- Improved environmental conditions for artifacts
- Enhanced visitor comfort and accessibility
- Expanded opportunities for exhibitions and education
- Long-term sustainability of the Wilson House
By strengthening the museum's infrastructure today, we ensure that future generations can continue to learn from the history preserved within these walls.
How You Can Help
Preservation is a shared responsibility.
The Wilson House continues to raise philanthropic support for this transformative project and invites individuals, foundations, corporations, and community partners to join us in safeguarding one of America's most important presidential homes.
Your support helps preserve:
- The historic house
- Museum collections
- Educational programs
- Future exhibitions
- Public access for generations to come
To learn more about supporting the Preservation Campaign, please contact:
Development Office
President Woodrow Wilson House
Elizabeth Karcher, Ekarcher@WoodrowWilsonHouse.org
Project Updates
Follow the progress of the preservation project through construction updates, photographs, behind-the-scenes stories, and milestones as we prepare the Wilson House for its next century.
Check back regularly to see the latest updates.
Donations to the “Woodrow Wilson House” are donations to the National Trust for Historic Preservation, a charity qualified as a 501(c)(3) organization. Such donations are tax-deductible to the extent permitted by law.