Edith Bolling Galt Wilson is the author of an autobiography, My Memoir (1938). She married twice, first to Norman Galt, owner of a DC jewelry store, and later to President Woodrow Wilson. Her second husband gave her full access to Oval Office meetings and decisions, including classified information.
When the U.S. entered WWI in 1917, Wilson arranged to have sheep graze on the White House lawn and sold their wool. She also volunteered at the Red Cross canteen at Union Station, and instituted days of the week when meat, wheat, and gasoline were not used, to conserve these resources for the war effort. After the Armistice, she became the first First Lady to travel to Europe and meet with royalty and other heads of state.
When the President had a stroke in 1919, Wilson lied to Congress and the Cabinet, telling them that her husband was suffering from “temporary exhaustion.” She took over many presidential duties at that time, in what she termed her “stewardship.” She was First Lady from 1915 until 1921.
Wilson outlived her husband by 36 years, and was buried alongside him at Washington National Cathedral. Her post-White House home is now a museum operated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation.
The Homes
2340 S St. NW, Washington, DC
Three Palladian windows beautifully define the second story of this Georgian Revival mansion. Wilson moved to the house in 1921 and lived here until her death in 1961, and bequeathed the property and all of its original furnishings to the National Trust for Historic Preservation. It was named a National Historic Landmark in 1964. Now operated as a museum, the house preserves many personal items of the Wilson’s, including clothing, art, china, and furniture.
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW, Washington, DC (The White House)
Built of Aquia Creek sandstone, this 130-room Neoclassical mansion was largely destroyed by arson during the War of 1812, and reconstructed in 1817. Additions include the South Portico (1824), the North Portico (1829), the West Wing (1901), and the Oval Office (1909). In 1949, the inside was completely gutted to stabilize the building with steel framing. The grounds were designed by Frederick Law Olmsted, Jr. in 1935. The mansion was named a National Historic Landmark in 1960.
Also home to: Ulysses S. Grant John Hay Herbert Hoover Paul Jennings John F. Kennedy Eleanor Roosevelt Anna Roosevelt Halsted James Roosevelt II Theodore Roosevelt Helen Herron Taft Margaret Truman Rose Elizabeth Cleveland
1404 21st Street NW, Washington, DC
Edith Bolling Galt Wilson
2340 S St. NW
Located in Sheridan/Kalorama neighborhood, Northwest - East of Rock Creek
Edith Bolling Galt Wilson
1600 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Located in Lafayette Square neighborhood,
Edith Bolling Galt Wilson
1404 21st Street Northwest, Washington, DC, USA
Located in Dupont Circle neighborhood,