Near Staunton, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
Birthplace of Woodrow Wilson
U.S. President 1913–21
Three and one half miles south, on Coalter Street in Staunton, is the birthplace of Thomas Woodrow Wilson, 8th Virginia-born President. New Jersey Governor, 28th President (World War I). He was chief author and sponsor of the League of Nations. Born Dec 28, 1856, died in Washington, Feb 3, 1924. The birthplace is maintained as an historic shrine.
Erected 1950 by Virginia Conservation Commission. (Marker Number A-61.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Peace • War, World I. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson, and the Virginia Department of Historic Resources (DHR) series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is February 3, 1864.
Location. 38° 10.6′ N, 79° 2.124′ W. Marker is near Staunton, Virginia. Marker is on Lee Highway (U.S. 11) south of Woodrow Wilson Parkway (Virginia Route 275), on the right when traveling south. It is at the city northern city line. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Staunton VA 24401, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Grandma Moses in Augusta County (approx. 1.4 miles away); The Virginia School for the Deaf and the Blind (approx. 2.4 miles away); Staunton Military Alumni Memorial (approx. 2.4 miles away); In Memory of Our Dead Heroes (approx. 2.4 miles away); Woodrow Wilson Birthplace (approx. 2.6 miles away); The Emily Smith Reception House (approx. 2.6 miles away); a different marker also named Birthplace of Woodrow Wilson (approx. 2.6 miles away); Lewis Creek Watershed (approx. 2.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Staunton.
More about this marker. A similar marker is on U.S. 11 at the southern city line.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. The similar marker on U.S. 11 at the southern city line.
Also see . . .
1. Brief Biographical Sketch of Wooodrow Wilson. This page is published by The White House in Washington, D.C. “Like Roosevelt before him, Woodrow Wilson regarded himself as the personal representative of the people. ‘No one but the President,’ he said, ‘seems to be expected ... to look out for the general interests of the country.’ He developed a program of progressive reform and asserted international leadership in building a new world order. In 1917 he proclaimed American entrance into World War I a crusade to make the world ‘safe for democracy’.” (Submitted on October 11, 2008.)
2. Mutual Relation of Masters and Slaves as Taught in the Bible (Joseph Wilson's sermon of 1/6/1861). Available at UNC's Documenting the American South (Submitted on March 17, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.)
Additional commentary.
1. Joseph Ruggles Wilson and the Civil War
Woodrow Wilson's father, Joseph Ruggles Wilson, was originally from Steubenville, Ohio. However, after moving to Virginia and becoming the pastor of Staunton's Presbyterian Church, he became "unreconstructedly Southern" in values and politics.
The family left this residence before the Civil War, and moved to Augusta, Georgia where Joseph Wilson continued in his role as a Presbyterian minister. There, his "Mutual Relation of Masters and Slaves as Taught in the Bible" sermon of January 6, 1861, at the First Presbyterian Church in Augusta, displayed his attitude and drew a great deal of interest. When asked to submit his sermon for publication two days later, Wilson responded, "It is surely high time that the Bible view of slavery should be examined, and that we should begin to meet the infidel fanatacism of our infatuated enemies upon the elevated ground of a divine warrant for the institution we are resolved to cherish." By December, Wilson was directly involved in establishing the Confederate or Southern Presbyterian Church.
— Submitted March 17, 2009, by Robert H. Moore, II of Winchester, Virginia.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 23, 2022. It was originally submitted on October 11, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio. This page has been viewed 1,482 times since then and 39 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9. submitted on October 11, 2008, by J. J. Prats of Powell, Ohio.