Woodrow Wilson House is pleased to report that it has been successful in its two grant applications to the National Trust’s Historic Sites Fund. The HSF Committee awarded $9,800 towards the replacement of window coverings throughout the house and $2,170 towards the conservation of objects returned to S Street by family members of the late Francis Sayre, grandson of Woodrow Wilson.

Wilson House is pleased to welcome back several important artifacts to the collection, which have been donated by Advisory Board member and Wilson descendent Harriet Sayre McCord. The artifacts include an Irish harp, a gift to President Wilson’s daughter Margaret from Australian-born composer Percy Grainger, two inlaid mahogany chairs with needlepoint seats, a lace table cloth depicting French fairytale scenes, a set of Bavarian china, and a muffin stand. These objects are documented as having belonged to President and Mrs. Wilson during their residency at S Street and are catalogued as being in the house when the property came into the possession of the National Trust for Historic Preservation. The items were removed from the property in settlement of Edith Bolling Wilson’s estate from 1961-1962 by President Wilson’s son-in-law Francis B. Sayre, his son, Dean Francis B. Sayre, and Mrs. Sayre, Jr. Now, after many years, these objects have now returned to Wilson House where they will be restored and placed on display thanks to funds contributed by Wilson House Advisory Board and Historic Site Committee members and the National Trust’s Historic Site Fund

A match amount of $9,800 is still needed to replace the window coverings throughout the house, including window shades, lace sheers, and awnings. Please contact our curator, John Powell for more information on this project.