A Taste of the Woodrow Wilson House, 2019 Partner of JLW Kitchen Tour

2019 PARTNER OF JLW KITCHEN TOUR: A TASTE OF THE WOODROW WILSON HOUSE

By Hannah McCracken

The 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

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

Elizabeth Karcher, Executive Director of the Woodrow Wilson House, (far left) and JLW volunteers welcome guests to the eighth annual Kitchen Tour. #JLWKitchenTour

women the right to vote in the United States. The programming will take place throughout the year and include a range of events sure to engage the minds and passions of attendees. Guests next year can look forward to a series of talks focusing on a variety of topics, such as a discussion on African American women getting the right to vote, a conversation on the women’s movement now and then, and a look at present-day U.S. women in politics. Events will also include movie screenings, book discussions, and a musical. Anchoring their programming for the centennial will be an exhibit centered around the suffrage movement and a special tour focusing on the era.

Although many of the events celebrate the success of women’s suffrage, Karcher acknowledges the movement itself was not flawless. Consequently, WWH’s programming will examine the importance of race, gender, and class in the suffrage movement. During the events, Karcher hopes attendees will engage in thoughtful discussion about the movement and its present-day implications in American society.

“In today’s day and age, we cannot afford to shy away from difficult conversations. If we’re not talking to our friends about our opinions and our views, and having these intense conversations— these difficult conversations—then we have no hope as a nation of coming together,” Karcher observed.

Karcher has worked on several teams in her professional life, many including people with different backgrounds and experiences. She believes “innovation on a team comes from hearing different voices;” thus, creating an inclusive environment is critical to success. She is optimistic this goal will attract members of the DC community to the WWH.

The next time you are near the WWH, stop by for a visit. You may not see a group of friendly JLW Kitchen Tour volunteers ready to greet you, but Karcher along with the dedicated staff and guides of the WWH will surely serve you something special. •

Horton’s Kids 30th Anniversary Family Picnic

The Junior League of Washington is proud to partner with a range of extraordinary community organizations that make a real difference in the lives of women and children in the DC area. One of those partners is Horton’s Kids. Thirty years after its founding, Horton’s Kids continues to empower children growing up in one of Washington, DC’s most under-resourced communities, increasing their chances of graduating from high school, and paving the way for success in their careers and their lives. An active and positive force in the Wellington Park community of Washington, DC, Horton’s Kids shapes the lives of many parents and children living in Ward 8. On October 6, members of the Junior League of Washington (JLW) attended the Horton’s Kids anniversary family picnic. Featuring face painting, animal balloons, family games, and perfect weather, this was the largest picnic turnout of parents, children, and volunteers for Horton’s Kids. This successful event generated many smiling faces, proud parents, and loving and compassionate emotions towards all.

JLW Members Supporting Horton’s Kids at the Family Picnic event in October.

T-shirts from the 2019 Horton’s Kids Family Picnic.