Woodrow Wilson House
2340 South St. NW, Washington DC, Washington DC, USA, 20008
This Georgian revival townhouse on Embassy Row earned its place on the National Trust for Historic Preservation for both its inhabitants and its architecture. The retirement home for President Woodrow Wilson and his wife, Edith, was designed in 1915 by Waddy Butler Wood—the man behind a slew of Washington DC’s finest private homes.
The basics
Washington’s only presidential museum, the Woodrow Wilson House has been maintained much as it looked at the time of Wilson’s death here in 1924; Edith continued to live in the house until passing away in 1961. In addition to an 8,000-volume library and an exhibit of personal artifacts and memorabilia, the house features an elevator installed to accommodate the former president, who had suffered a semi-paralyzing stroke in 1919.
To see the house beyond the exhibition space, you must reserve a spot on a guided tour; self-guided tours are not permitted.
Things to know before you go
The house is a draw for history buffs and anyone interested in American politics.
Docent-led tours take about 1 hour; express tours and longer specialty tours are also available.
Admission for children under 12 is free.
Amenities include restrooms, drinking fountains, and a small gift shop.
The Woodrow Wilson House does not have full accessibility; the small historic elevator and transfer chair offer limited access to the second and third floors.
How to get there
Located on S Street NW, the house is 5 blocks from Dupont Circle station on the Red Line. Two-hour street parking is available in the surrounding neighborhood.
When to get there
The house is open year-round, but the schedule varies. Hour-long tours and 30-minute tours are offered on Saturdays, and 75-minute specialty tours take place during the week. You can also check the site's calendar to find out about temporary exhibitions.
Architectural history
The architect of the Woodrow Wilson House, Waddy Butler Wood, was largely self-taught at the Library of Congress. While he designed houses for Washington’s prosperous residents during the early 20th century, he is best known for public commissions such as the Masonic temple that is now home to the National Museum of Women in the Arts, and the headquarters of the Department of the Interior.
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