Elizabeth Karcher serves as Executive Director of the President Woodrow Wilson House, the National Trust for Historic Preservation's presidential site in Washington, D.C. Since assuming leadership in 2019, she has guided the museum through a period of significant growth, repositioning the Wilson House as a center for history, diplomacy, civic engagement, and public dialogue.
Under her leadership, the Wilson House has broadened its interpretation of the Wilson era through nationally recognized exhibitions and educational initiatives that examine American history through multiple perspectives. Her major exhibition projects include Suffrage Outside: The 19th Amendment at 100, Suffrage Outside, Inside: The 19th Amendment at 101, Moving Toward Transparency: Wilson's Legacy at 100, and Wilson's Washington, America's Struggle: Race and Civil Liberties in the Capital, developed with support from DC Humanities.
Karcher also conceived and launched Fashioning Power, Fashioning Peace, an annual international exhibition that explores diplomacy through fashion and cultural exchange. Since its debut in 2024, the exhibition has grown into one of Washington's distinctive diplomatic and cultural events, bringing together ambassadors, designers, artists, and leaders from nearly sixty countries to celebrate international understanding through the universal language of dress.
Committed to expanding the museum's educational impact, Karcher has strengthened the Wilson House Scholars Program, developed new civic education initiatives including the Marder Vaughn Civics Lessons, expanded public programming, and created opportunities for students, scholars, and visitors to engage with history in meaningful and relevant ways.
She is currently leading a multi-year effort to preserve the Wilson House through a comprehensive infrastructure modernization project, including the installation of a state-of-the-art climate control system that will protect the historic structure and its collections for generations to come.
Before joining the Wilson House, Karcher served in senior leadership roles at several national nonprofit organizations, where she specialized in fundraising, strategic planning, board development, membership growth, marketing, communications, and organizational management.
Karcher believes that historic places are most meaningful when they foster curiosity, encourage thoughtful dialogue, and connect the stories of the past to the challenges and opportunities of the present. Her leadership continues to position the Wilson House as a vibrant forum for civic understanding, cultural diplomacy, and historical exploration.
"History is not simply about preserving the past. It is about understanding how the choices of earlier generations continue to shape the world we live in today. At the Wilson House, we invite every visitor to explore that connection." – Elizabeth Karcher
Claire Fergusson is the Associate Manager of Collections at the Wilson House. She joined the Wilson House team in 2025 as a Summer Scholar and tour guide and later assisted with the development of the exhibit Wilson’s Washington, America’s Struggle: Race and Civil Liberties in the Capital. Before joining the staff full time, Claire was a fellow with the DC Preservation League and a collections intern at Tudor Place in Georgetown. Claire is deeply passionate about collections and enjoys exploring new ways to engage the public with the Wilson House’s unique objects.
Claire will graduate from American University in 2026 with a master’s degree in Public History. She holds a bachelor’s degree in History and Environmental Studies from Kenyon College in Ohio. In her role, Claire focuses on the care and preservation of more than 8,000 artifacts.
Maxwell Miller is the Senior Manager of Historic Site and Events at the Wilson House. Maxwell joined the Wilson House team in 2022 as a part-time guide, Girl Scout Coordinator, and Special Event Lead. Before joining the Wilson House staff full-time, Maxwell was the Youth Education Program Manager at Temple Sinai of Washington, D.C. During Maxwell’s time in D.C., she has also worked as a program partner intern with The National Building Museum and a museum intern at the Lilian and Albert Small Capital Jewish Museum. Maxwell has always loved how museums can offer special and unique learning opportunities to a variety of museum audiences whether it be through educational programs or special events in historic spaces.
Maxwell holds a Masters of Arts in Teaching in Museum Education from the Graduate School or Education and Human Development form The George Washington University in Washington, DC. She received her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with a Minor in History from the Reich College of Education at Appalachian State University in Boone, North Carolina. As Senior Manager of Historic Site and Events, she focuses on museum public programing, exhibitions, tours and staffing, and special property uses.
John Pucher is the Senior Manager of Business and Operations at the Wilson House. John has been with the National Trust for Historic Preservation since April 1999. Over the last 25 years, he has worked at various sites and positions. He started working for the National Trust in the Historic Sites department as the Assistant Financial Administrator to the Historic Sites, the Financial Administrator at Preservation Magazine, the Business Administrator to the Lincoln Cottage and Wilson House in Washington, DC. He has been in his current position at the Wilson House since 2013.
John has a Bachelor of Arts from Central Bible College in Springfield, MO. His academic curriculum included course study on church, foreign missions, biblical history, and entity management.
Wesley Smith joins as Deputy Director at the Wilson House starting in 2025. He is a senior program and event management professional with over 20 years of experience driving impactful initiatives within the nonprofit sector. Most recently serving as Vice President of Programs and Engagement at The United States Navy Memorial Foundation, Wes led comprehensive event production, marketing strategies, and team operations while collaborating with executive leadership on strategic planning and donor stewardship.
Prior to this role, Wes spent nearly 14 years as Program Director at the American Veterans Center, where he orchestrated the National Memorial Day Parade—the nation's largest Memorial Day event—and managed high-profile conferences serving 600+ attendees. His expertise encompasses large-scale event logistics, stakeholder relations, budget management, and protocol advisement for U.S. and foreign dignitaries and senior officials.
He holds a Bachelor of Science in Marketing with a minor in International Business from Miami University's Richard T. Farmer School of Business Administration. Based in Washington, D.C., Wes specializes in nonprofit operations, donor engagement, and protocol and event management. He enjoys spending time with his family - wife Abigail, son Logan (6) and daughter Sloane (3).