Midtown - Downtown in Columbia in Richland County, South Carolina — The American South (South Atlantic)

A Fortunate Survivor

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 5, 2019

1. A Fortunate Survivor Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

The Woodrow Wilson Family Home is South Carolina's only presidential site and Columbia's earliest example of historic preservation advocacy. Traditionally celebrated for its association with the nation's 28th president, this circa-1871 property also remains as an important link to one of the United States' most pivotal eras - Reconstruction.

When activists saved the property from destruction in 1928, this neighborhood looked much like it did when the Wilson family lived here. In the decades that followed redevelopment erased much of this earlier residential character and landscape. Today, this local landmark operates as a museum in an historically appropriate setting.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Notable Buildings. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #28 Woodrow Wilson series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1871.

Location. 34° 0.478′ N, 81° 1.634′ W. Marker is in Columbia, South Carolina, in Richland County. It is in Midtown - Downtown. Marker can be reached from the intersection of Hampton Street and Henderson

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Street, on the right when traveling west. Marker is located on the Woodrow Wilson Family Home grounds, beside the sidewalk, near the southwest corner of the lot. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1705 Hampton Street, Columbia SC 29201, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Tommy Wilson's Neighborhood (a few steps from this marker); Wilson House (a few steps from this marker); Wilson Boyhood House (a few steps from this marker); Woodrow Wilson Family Home & Gardens (within shouting distance of this marker); Victorian By Design (within shouting distance of this marker); Pieces of the Past (within shouting distance of this marker); Divided By Design (within shouting distance of this marker); "Chesnut Cottage" (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Columbia.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. Woodrow Wilson Family Home

Also see . . . Woodrow Wilson's Boyhood Home in Columbia, South Carolina. The home was saved from demolition by historical activists in 1928 and turned into a museum in 1933. But it hadn’t undergone any large renovations since that time. Now, the house is restored to its former glory, and the museum has added exhibits that look not only at the life of Woodrow Wilson, but also the south in the 1870s. The region

Marker detail: Members of the Woodrow and McMaster families pose in front of Wilson House, c. 1920s image. Click for full size.

Columbia's Blanchard Studios, Historic Columbia Collection

2. Marker detail: Members of the Woodrow and McMaster families pose in front of Wilson House, c. 1920s

was still enmeshed in reconstruction after the Civil War, and the museum explores what daily life would have been like at the time and how the culture at the time would have affected Wilson’s early life and future decisions. (Submitted on June 8, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.)

A Fortunate Survivor Marker • wide view<br>(<i>marker on left • Wilson Home in background</i>) image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 5, 2019

3. A Fortunate Survivor Marker • wide view
(marker on left • Wilson Home in background)

Wilson Family Home image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Cosmos Mariner, May 5, 2019

4. Wilson Family Home

Generations of Columbians have touted their city's connection to President Wilson, whose former home has graced postcards since 1913.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on June 7, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 178 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on June 7, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3, 4. submitted on June 8, 2019, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida.