The DC Traveler

During his two terms as President, Woodrow Wilson drove much legislation, including passing the 16th (income tax), the 17th (direct election of Senators by the voters), and the 19th (women’s right to vote) Amendments. He vetoed the Volsteat Act, which banned the manufacture, sale, or transportation of intoxicating liquors, and gave the federal government the ability to enforce the 18th Amendment (prohibition).

Also during his terms, the U.S. established the Federal Reserve System, the Federal Trade Commission and the IRS. He also was influential in getting the Clayton Antitrust Act passed to fix antitrust issues created under the Sherman Antitrust Act and forming the League of Nations.

While he fought hard to keep America out of the First World War during his first term, even after 1,200 people, including 128 Americans were killed when a German U-Boat torpedoed the British passenger liner, Lusitania, off the coast of Ireland in 1915. Wilson demanded that Germany stop attacking passenger ships, and Germany, for a short time did.

In 1917, after the German navy resumed its policy of unrestricted submarine warfare, seven American merchant ships were sunk and Wilson called for war.

During WW-I, he pushed the Espionage Act of 1917 and the Sedition Act of 1918 through Congress to suppress anti-war or pro-German movements. He also authorized sheep to graze on the White House lawn to help the Red Cross raise wool for the war effort. His 14 Points became the basis for the Treaty of Versailles which ended the First World War (and some say, fueled the start of the Second World War just 20 years later).

Other accomplishment during his time as President included opening the Panama Canal, endorsing the creation of an interstate highway system, establishing the national observance of Mother’s Day and addressing the first joint session of congress since John Adams over 100 years earlier.

In 1921, Wilson and his second wife left the White House and established a permanent residence in the District on S Street, after completing his second term of office. He died there in 1924. He is also the only President to be buried in Washington’s National Cathedral.

His wife lived until 1961 and left the home to the National Trust for Historic Preservation which opened to the public in 1964.

You can tour their 1915 Georgian revival-style home and its collection of personal memorabilia from the period and Wilson’s White House years.

Woodrow Wilson House
2340 S Street, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 20008

Days and Times - Tuesdays - Sundays, 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Tickets - Adults - $7.50 Adults; Seniors $1.00 less, Students and kids over 7 - $3.00. Reservations can be made to participate in tours, but not required.

Nearest Metro subway station - Dupont Circle, then a 7 block walk.

Parking - Street parking is available, but limited.

Photos: Wilson House photos courtesy of WWH.

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