As we come to a close of our Fiscal Year. I am happy to share with you a report on our current state of affairs.

In 2008 the Woodrow Wilson House launched the quiet phase of our Endowment Campaign: Endowing the Wilson Legacy at 100. To date, more than $615,000 has been pledged toward the campaign goal of $2.5 million. It is anticipated that before the December 2009 close of our participation in the overall National Trust People Saving Places campaign, the Woodrow Wilson House unrestricted endowment will stand at $5 million. This amount will better provide for our crucial annual operating income. Currently we are soliciting our Advisory Board for their 100% commitment and pledges; we plan to enter the public phase of the endowment campaign in January 2009. This campaign remains the centerpiece of our current strategic plan, The Wilson Legacy at 100, which will prepare us for the Centennial of the Wilson Presidency in 2012.

An ongoing cornerstone of our strategic planning is preserving our historic landmark building and authentic 8,000 object collection. Wilson House is near the completion of an 18 month IMLS Conservation Project to study environmental conditions and the effect they have had on our nationally significant collections for over the past 20 years. The information from this assessment will help develop a sustainable environmental plan for the site. The final report will be presented to Wilson House and National Trust leadership in November 2008. The initial findings will direct the next phase of study and design for suitable, sustainable environmental systems. A grant from the HSF Fund provided the match for the federal funds.

Wilson House continues along the path of financial self sufficiency and will end the fiscal year with an operating surplus. The economic uncertainty and increased energy costs continue to be a focus of our attention and concern. With the reduced value of the dollar against foreign currencies, Wilson House has benefited from an increase in foreign visitors; overall paid admissions and attendance have increased and exceeded budget goals, as did special property use and museum shop income. Support of our membership, annual giving and Advisory Board continues to be strong and our 20th Annual Spring Garden Benefit event and House and Embassy Tour met budget goals.

Programmatically, the Wilson House launched a very popular and successful exhibition, The Presidential Dish: Mrs. Woodrow Wilson and the White House China Room. This exhibition celebrates the preservation legacy of Edith Wilson and her lasting contribution to the nation, the White House China Room. Wilson House Advisory Board member and collector of presidential materials, Set Momjian, loaned 150 pieces of presidential porcelains known to be in the 1917 installation. Funding was secured from foundations and individuals not only for the exhibition, which is a replication of the 1917 China Room, but also for a stunning 36-page publication and an aggressive marketing plan which secured several national press stories. The exhibition was visited by First Lady Laura Bush, who also contributed an introduction to the catalog. The Wilson 150 Traveling Exhibition closed its two year tour with stops at Wilson’s boyhood homes in Augusta, GA and Columbia, SC.

With funding from the National Trust Interpretation and Education Fund the Wilson House developed new marketing materials. Also with I & E support and a partnership with the George Washington University Museum Education Program we developed a Guide-by-Cell Phone audio tour of our historic Embassy Row neighborhood. The tour, narrated by noted journalist and author, Cokie Roberts, highlights the successful preservation story and adaptive re-use of homes along Massachusetts Avenue. Included in the tour are messages from diplomats, neighbors, preservation groups and cultural organizations. The tour is available as a podcast at www.EmbassyRowTour.org or call 202-595-1841.

Frank J. Aucella
Executive Director
Woodrow Wilson House
To send Frank an email, click here.