Foundation History
Founded in 2005, the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Foundation seeks to raise awareness and increase community appreciation of the birthplace and childhood home of First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson. Born and raised in Wytheville, Virginia, Edith Bolling Wilson is a descendant of Pocahontas and the only Appalachian-born First Lady. As one of only eight historic sites across the country dedicated to the interpretation of a First Lady, the museum tells the story of the overlooked, yet vitally important role Edith Bolling Wilson played in the White House at a pivotal moment during World War I.
The Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Foundation was founded by Bill and Farron Smith to foster the legacy of First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson. In 2008, the Smiths renovated a vacant storefront in the birthplace home to house the museum and its growing collection of Bolling family artifacts. Since the founding of the organization, it has been a long-term goal to preserve and restore the Bolling family home located on the second story of the museum.
The museum is one of two Presidential Historic Sites located in an American Main Street. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 as a contributing structure of the downtown Wytheville Historic District. In 2013, the building was listed on Preservation Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places due to the need of immediate roof repair to address moisture intrusion and deteriorating masonry. This work has since been completed.
The Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Foundation was founded by Bill and Farron Smith to foster the legacy of First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson. In 2008, the Smiths renovated a vacant storefront in the birthplace home to house the museum and its growing collection of Bolling family artifacts. Since the founding of the organization, it has been a long-term goal to preserve and restore the Bolling family home located on the second story of the museum.
The museum is one of two Presidential Historic Sites located in an American Main Street. The property was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994 as a contributing structure of the downtown Wytheville Historic District. In 2013, the building was listed on Preservation Virginia’s Most Endangered Historic Places due to the need of immediate roof repair to address moisture intrusion and deteriorating masonry. This work has since been completed.
Staff and Board
Museum Staff
Shiloh Holley, Executive Director
Farron Smith, Co-Founder
Debbie Wilkerson, Education Coordinator
Board of Trustees
Lisa Alderman, President
Linda DiYorio, Vice President
Judson Lambert, Treasurer
Deborah Kemper, Secretary
Sherri Case
Kay Dunkley
Dr. Robert Enholm
Anne Evans
Lori Huffard
Chuck Lacy
Emeritus Trustees
John Bowling
David Davis
Cary Fuller
Bill Smith
Strategic Advisory Committee
Dr. Grace Toney Edwards
Dr. John Nemeth
Farron Smith
Shiloh Holley, Executive Director
Farron Smith, Co-Founder
Debbie Wilkerson, Education Coordinator
Board of Trustees
Lisa Alderman, President
Linda DiYorio, Vice President
Judson Lambert, Treasurer
Deborah Kemper, Secretary
Sherri Case
Kay Dunkley
Dr. Robert Enholm
Anne Evans
Lori Huffard
Chuck Lacy
Emeritus Trustees
John Bowling
David Davis
Cary Fuller
Bill Smith
Strategic Advisory Committee
Dr. Grace Toney Edwards
Dr. John Nemeth
Farron Smith
Visit
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Museum Hours
Tuesdays – Fridays 10 a.m. – 4 p.m. Saturdays 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Closed on all major holidays. |
Location
145 E. Main St., Wytheville, VA 24382 The museum is located downtown across from the Bolling Wilson Hotel. |
Admission
Free entry to the museum, $5 for a tour of the Bolling Family Home, available during museum hours. |
Edith bolling wilson birthplace museum
CONTACT |