First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson
Almost every driver on Virginia's roadways has seen one. The tall, silver historical highway markers are hard to miss. More than 2,000 markers bring bits of history to motorists in Virginia. The highway marker program began in 1927, is administered by the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (VaDHR), and is one of the oldest in the country.
On October 13, 2006, the Virginia State Historical Marker was dedicated for First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson, at her birthplace and childhood home. Edith was born in the Bolling Building located at 145 East Main Street in Wytheville, Virginia, on October 15, 1872, and lived there with her sizeable family for many years.
The Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Historic Marker reads:
"Edith Bolling Galt Wilson was born here on 15 October 1872 and lived here withherparentsJudge William Holcombe and Sallie While Bolling and ten siblings. EdithBolling married Norman Galt in 1896 and after his death in 1908 she ran his Washington, DC jewelry shop. She married President Woodrow Wilson on 18 Dec. 1915. As First Lady, she actively supported her husband and his policies. Following President Wilson's debilitating stroke in October 1919, she managed his affairs during his recovery. She promoted Wilson's legacy after his death in 1924. She died on 28 December 1961 and is interred with him at the National Cathedral inWashington, D.C."
Virginia Historical Highway Marker Dedication Ceremony Participants from left to right:
Matthew Cox, Virginia Department of Transportation; Judson Lambert, Wytheville Town Council;
John Kern, Department of Historical Resources;
and owners
William J. Smith, Farron Smith, William J. Smith II
.
