History
Woodrow Wilson’s childhood home was built in 1859 and served as a manse (home) for the pastor of the First Presbyterian Church which was located across the road. Dr. Joseph Ruggles Wilson and his family lived in the house from 1860 to 1872 and during their time there gave birth to Thomas Woodrow Wilson in 1856, who later went on to become the 28th President of the United States. The young Wilson spent his formative years in this house, where he experienced the American Civil War and the Reconstruction Era, which no doubt, profoundly affected him and played a vital role towards him later becoming the U.S. president from 1913-1921.
The property remained as a manse for the Church, housing ministers until 1929. The building had undergone many additions and renovations and fallen into disrepair. The property was purchased by the Historic Augusta Society in 1991, who lovingly restored the home to its former glory and opened it to the public as a house museum in 2001.
Location and Structure
Located on the northern corner of Seventh and Telfair Streets in downtown Augusta, the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson is a popular historic attraction for the City of Augusta and serves as an educational facility that depicts the life and times of the President during his childhood. The Museum is located across the street from the First Presbyterian Church, for which is served as a manse for the minister of the Church from 1860 to 1872, and next to the Joseph R. Lamar Boyhood Home, which serves as the Visitor Center for the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson.
The Home is a neat, double-story building with a five-bay front façade, a side gable roof and a pair of end chimneys. The main façade of the house had a beautiful center entrance with a portico surrounded and supported by paired Tuscan columns framed by sidelight and transom windows. A carriage house and service building can be found behind the house, also built from the same load-bearing brick as the main house.
The interiors of the house have been restored to their former glory as they were in 1860 complete with period décor and furnishings and memorabilia from Wilson’s childhood. One of the bedroom windows has the name ‘Tom’ carved into it, which is believed to have been done by Wilson himself as his first name was Thomas and he was often called Tom or Tommy when he was young.
Education, Events & Visitor Information
The Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home hosts several educational and social special events throughout the year to inspire the public to come and enjoy this local treasure. Special events include special tours held on President’s Day and various holiday tours for all ages.
Visitor Information
The Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home is located at 419 Seventh Street in Augusta and is open to the public for guided tours only from Thursdays through Saturdays. Guided tours are led by knowledgeable docents who share the history of the house and the life and times of the young President during his time here. Tours begin on the hour at 10:00 am with the last tour starting at 4:00 pm. Group tours of the home can be arranged with prior reservation.
The house can be rented for small gatherings and special occasions for groups of up to 36 seated guests and 75 reception-style. Boasting a rich historical ambiance, the rental space features two large formal chambers and a small parlor with a beautiful bay window. There is also a fully equipped kitchen available for catering purposes and a lovely landscaped outdoor area for socializing the summer months. Rental of the property also includes a complimentary tour of the Boyhood Home of President Woodrow Wilson, upon request.
More Things to Do in Augusta, GA
419 Seventh Street, Augusta, Georgia 30901, website, Phone: 706-722-9828, See the Map
Conclusion
A must-see attraction in Augusta, The Woodrow Wilson Boyhood Home is a beautifully restored historic house museum and National Historic Landmark that honors the life and times of the 28th President of the United States and proponent of the League of Nations, Woodrow Wilson.
Built in 1859 and located at 419 Seventh Street in Augusta, Georgia, within the boundaries of the Augusta Downtown Historic District, the house museum was once the childhood home of Woodrow Wilson. Today the house is open to the public today to discover more about the life of the president when he was a boy growing up in Georgia during the Civil War and Reconstruction.
