SPOTLIGHT ON OUR PARTNERS
2019 PARTNER OF JLW KITCHEN TOUR:
A TASTE OF THE WOODROW WILSON HOUSE By Hannah McCracken
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he stately Woodrow Wilson House (WWH) sits tucked away on a quiet street off of Embassy Row. This home served as the primary residence for President Woodrow Wilson and his second wife, Edith, after serving two terms in office as the 28th President of the United States. Outfitted with the latest in 1920s finishings, the WWH provided a beautiful backdrop for hosting foreign dignitaries and other visitors. Many Junior League of Washington (JLW) members may recognize this beautiful brick home as a familiar location. Earlier this spring, the WWH hosted a brunch to kick off festivities for the eighth-annual JLW Kitchen Tour, a self-guided experience taking participants through the elegant kitchens located in the Kalorama and Adams Morgan neighborhoods of Washington, DC. Along the way, attendees enjoyed culinary demonstrations and tastings. The brunch at the WWH was the first of many stops on that morning in May, and it also happened to be one of Elizabeth Karcher’s first events as WWH’s Executive Director. “Not every day is like that!” Karcher remarked when asked about a typical day as leader of the nonprofit. When not hosting Kitchen Tour festivities, Karcher and her team of three full-time staff work to maintain the home, curate exhibitions, and develop events and programming. They are supplemented by a team of 24 guides who show visitors through the home, sharing insights and stories on the pieces and former residents.
JLW members and guests enjoy brunch at the Woodrow Wilson House in spring 2019. #JLWKitchenTour
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Fall 2019
Currently, the museum is focused on sharing three main stories with its visitors: tales of African Americans who worked in the house and lived in surrounding neighborhood; spotlights on the women in President Wilson’s life; and the former President’s international legacy. The first exhibition is focused on sharing stories of African Americans who worked in the WWH and lived in the surrounding neighborhood while the former president and his wife were residents. The lives of staff and family who worked in the home are highlighted through curated items and documented stories. Additionally, the museum focuses on telling the stories from the women in President Wilson’s life. President Wilson was married twice, and he had three daughters with his first wife. His daughters fascinated reporters of the era, with one 1913 newspaper article describing them as “being most independent young women, abundantly able to look out for themselves on all occasions and quite willing to do so,” according to the Monroe Journal. His second wife, Edith, has been called the “first female president” as she became a steward of the presidency while Wilson was recovering from a stroke. Finally, the WWH presents the international legacy of the former president. During his tenure as president, President Wilson was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for his contributions to ending World War I and leading the establishment of the League of Nations. Karcher is six months into her role at the WWH, and she “feels so lucky to work in such a beautiful home.” Prior to her position as Executive Director, she worked for Discovery, Inc. in nearby Silver Spring, MD, for eight years, following nearly six years with Lockheed Martin. She considers each of these roles to be pivotal points in her career, and she notes she was assisted in the application process for both positions by friends she met through the Junior Woman’s Club of Chevy Chase (JWCCC). Originally joining the JWCCC as a way to make social connections with women in her community, Karcher ultimately became a leader in the organization and thoroughly enjoyed being able to contribute her time and abilities. When Karcher joined the WWH earlier this year, she saw an opportunity to highlight the hard work a group of women contributed to a cause nearly 100 years ago. Currently, she and her team are in the midst of planning events for 2020, including the centennial anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment, which granted
