The historic Woodrow Wilson Family Home will reopen to the public on February 15, 2014 after being closed for more than 8 years for restoration and interpretation. Located in downtown Columbia, SC, the Woodrow Wilson Family Home was home to the Wilson family from 1872 – 1874 and is the only presidential home in South Carolina. Historic Columbia Foundation will celebrate the opening weekend with tours, activities, performances, and more. SC Humanities supported some of the interpretation for the new exhibits available at the house with a Major Grant in 2011.
The interior of the Woodrow Wilson Family Home will now feature professionally-designed exhibits, period vignettes, interactive audio and video components and exterior signage that examines the Wilson family’s time in Columbia through the lens of the Reconstruction period. Major renovations both within the house and in the gardens were also accomplished.
SC Humanities awarded a Major Grant to Historic Columbia Foundation to create an interactive virtual exhibit that showcases two important and generally inaccessible areas of the historic home: the food preparation area (pantry and kitchen) and the bathroom. The virtual interpretation can be seen on The Historic Columbia Foundation website: http://www.historiccolumbia.org/.
Historic Columbia invites visitors from all over the country to join in the opening celebration through the following events on opening weekend, February 15 – 17:
Preview Gala – Friday, February 7, 2014 at 7:00 p.m. (ticketed)
Opening Day – Saturday, February 15, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
9:45 a.m. – ribbon cutting ceremony
Museum and garden tours
Crafts and activities for kids
Music, food, and a visit from President Woodrow Wilson himself! (10:00 a.m. and
Sunday, February 16, 1:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m.: open for tours
Presidents Day – Monday, February 17, 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.: while Historic Columbia is traditionally closed on Mondays, the Woodrow Wilson Family Home will be open for tours from 10 am to 4 pm to celebrate the holiday
About Historic Columbia:
In November 1961, a small group of individuals intent on saving the Ainsley Hall House from demolition officially incorporated as the Historic Columbia Foundation. Over the next five decades the organization, which was founded on the premise of preservation and education, would take on the stewardship of seven historic properties in Richland County. Today, the organization serves as a model for local preservation efforts and interpretation of local history. Visit historiccolumbia.org or find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram or YouTube for more details.
About SC Humanities:
The mission of SC Humanities is to enrich the cultural and intellectual lives of all South Carolinians. SC Humanities programs and initiatives are balanced, reflecting sensitivity to the diversity of ideas, encourage open dialogue, demonstrate integrity, and are ethical in operations.
