Virginia President's Tour - Woodrow Wilson Museum and Library

Saturday October 20

After a good night’s sleep we had breakfast cooked by Steve – his special scrambled eggs and bacon.  Mmmm good.  Steve was up very early to help set up at their church for a Saturday sale – apple butter and Brunswick Stew cookoff along with bake and craft sale.  He then came back  home to cook and have breakfast with us! 

After breakfast we headed north about 30 minutes to Staunton. The Woodrow Wilson Library and Museum is located there where his parents lived during the years while Wilson was growing up.  His father was the minister for the Presbyterian Church in Staunton.  The home and surrounding buildings to house the museum are owned now by Mary Baldwin College. 

We arrived about an hour before the next tour of the home so again watched a movie and viewed exhibits while we waited for our tour.  We have jumped ahead in time from our other president homes; about a hundred years - to the early 1900’s - when Wilson was elected president during the years leading up to and during WWI. Wilson was also a well-educated man having served as President of Princeton University and Governor of New Jersey before entering political life. 

The exhibits included information on League of Nations which he hoped to start; political campaign materials, items from the White House, and World War I exhibits.  They did allow photography.  I was really impressed with my camera when it allowed me to take good photos in the dark WW I trench exhibit!

Phone used in White House

One of several posters and sheet music of the time

Replica of WW I Trench

Hospital Scene in Trench

After our visit to the museum we drove around Staunton looking for a good place for lunch.  There were numerous restaurants on the main downtown street but it was full of Saturday shoppers and no close parking places….so we drove out of town and stopped at Kathy’s where parking was easy and the food was good.  We had an Italian sub with fries.  Super good and again by splitting we had just the right amount.

A short drive back down US 11 and we were back in Fairfield.  We enjoyed visiting and catching up with our friends.  We had Brunswick stew (from the church festival) and cornbread for dinner.  We shared our favorite TV shows from Netflix, BritBox, etc and will both have a few new ones to watch in the future.