Today we visited the Edith Bollings Wilson Museum. Edith was born in Wytheville in 1872 and was the 7th of 11 children. She married Mr Gault, a wealthy Jewelry Store owner in Washing DC. Following his death 12 years later she became quite wealthy. She was the first woman in DC to own and drive an electric car.
The museum depicts her life from her humble beginnings at her birthplace and childhood home. She grew up to become one of the most influential, controversial, and historically significant women of the 20th Century.
She was introduced to the recently widowed President Woodrow Wilson, less than one year, and they married in 1915. During WW1 as part of rationing she introduced gasless Sundays, meatless Mondays and wheatless Wednesdays.
Edith was a distant descendant of Pocahontas.
A chronology of her life.
As the First lady she was the first Chief of the Girl Scouts which continues today for First Ladies.
She was indeed a controversial figure in America with many believing that after her husband's stroke she situated herself in a surrogate role where she decided on what was important to be taken to her invalided husband.
Irrespective of what anyone may think, to the folks in Wytheville, Edith is a star. They even have a mural depicting her life.
This small town has some very interesting stories.
Cheers,
Beverley and Ross
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