Wilson, Woodrow, Birthplace
Also known as: The Manse
Why it's listed
This two-story Greek Revival manse at 24 North Coalter Street in Staunton, Virginia, was built in 1846 by the First Presbyterian Church. Its white-painted brick walls rest on a hill that allows a ground-level first floor beneath two upper stories, with four rooms on each level. Woodrow Wilson was born here in December 1856, and his family lived in the house for about a year. Wilson later became a college professor, president of Princeton, governor of New Jersey and the 28th president of the United States. The nomination credits him with progressive reforms at home and with leading American efforts toward a League of Nations after World War I. The Woodrow Wilson Birthplace Foundation acquired the house in 1933 and furnished it for the period of the Wilsons' stay, including some pieces that belonged to the family. A garden created by the Garden Club of Virginia lies at the rear, along with two later gazebos that are not historic. The house is in excellent condition and is open as a museum.
Significance in brief: It is the birthplace of Woodrow Wilson, who was born there in December 1856 and lived there for about a year. Wilson was an educator, governor of New Jersey and 28th president, and he pushed for the League of Nations after World War I. The nomination presents the house as a landmark to his career and legacy.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 66000926, listed October 15, 1966. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence medium).
Key facts
| Address | N. Coalter St. between Beverly and Frederick Sts., Staunton (Independent City) |
|---|---|
| County | Staunton |
| Listed | October 15, 1966 |
| Reference number | 66000926 |
| Resource type | Building |
| Period of significance | 1856-1857 |
| Architect / builder | First Presbyterian Church in Staunton (builder of the manse) |
| Architectural style | Greek Revival |
| Areas of significance | Politics/Government |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated July 19, 1964 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | Excellent condition and well maintained; operated as a museum. Electricity and heating have been added, but the house is otherwise unchanged. |
| Acreage | 0.9 |
| Within district | Gospel Hill Historic District |
| Coordinates | 38.15056, -79.06891 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
National Register listing is honorary: it recognises significance and does not restrict what a private owner may do without federal money or permits. It unlocks the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit for income-producing buildings, state credits in many states, and Section 106 review when federal agencies are involved. See what listing means in practice.
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 66000926.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q64691879
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.