Lesson and Legacies Series: From Wytheville to the White House
Venue: Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Transportation Museum, Pulaski
Directions: Google Map Link
Date: Sunday, May 27, 2018
Time: 2:00 - 3:00 PM
Event Types: Family Friendly, Speaking Engagements
Cost: Free

Description:
The Raymond F. Ratcliffe Memorial Transportation Museum continues their Lesson and Legacies Series with "From Wytheville to the White House" on Sunday, May 27, 2018 in the Main Gallery.

"From Wytheville to the White House" is a program by Jim Gearhart and Betsy Ely and is a portrayal of President and Mrs. Wilson.

Program Background:
Born and raised in Wytheville, Virginia, Edith Bolling Galt Wilson served as First Lady to President Woodrow Wilson from 1915-1921. Frequently cited as one of the most controversial women of the twentieth century, her role as First Lady has been heavily scrutinized, particularly in the aftermath of President Wilson’s debilitating stroke in 1919. During the last seventeen months of Wilson’s presidency, Edith assumed the “stewardship” of the executive office, acting as the gatekeeper of the west wing and protector of her husband’s health and political legacy.

As First Lady during the First World War, she became heavily involved in domestic and international affairs, and frequently served as a model of wartime sacrifice. During this time, she served as President Wilson’s personal assistant, advisor, and confidante. And, like few First Ladies before her, she became active in political causes which served to support and advance President Wilson’s policies.

President Wilson lived only three years after leaving the White House in 1921. Mrs. Wilson lived another thirty-seven years and spent the rest of her life promoting her husband’s legacy for world peace. Her last visit to Wytheville, her childhood home, was in 1960 at the age of 88.

To view a trailer for the program, visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZjlRfdn4XVs.

In addition, Joyce Covey and Farron Smith, co-authors of the educational book, "How the Sheep Helped Win the War", will share the story of President and Mrs. Wilson, a flock of sheep, and how that flock of sheep helped win the war. The children's book, based on a true story, correlates with Standards of Learning and is a favorite of school teachers.

A book signing will follow the program.

To view a trailer of "How the Sheep Helped Win the War", visit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LDbX7BIiNHU.

For more information about Mrs. Wilson, please visit the museum's website: http://www.edithbollingwilson.org

The museum is located at 51 Commerce Street in downtown Pulaski, VA across the street from the historical Pulaski Railroad Station.

For more information, visit: http://www.theratcliffemuseum.com/event/from-wytheville-to-the-white-house/ or https://www.facebook.com/Ratcliffemuseum or call 540-980-2307.

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