Our last day in Virginia's incredible Blue Ridge country. As the weather is sunny and temperatures moderate, we elect to make the 45 minute drive to Staunton, Virginia to visit the birthplace of the 28th President of the United States, Woodrow Wilson. The son of a minister, the site is the former Presbyterian parsonage there, now part of a complex containing a museum and Wilson's presidential library.
Staunton turns out to be a wonderful, quaint town with many narrow, one-way streets, interesting-looking shops, and a plethora of large, stately, old homes. A terrific place to spend lots of quality time, it seems to me. The parking lot is small, the site less than busy, and we are given a private tour of the home by a pleasant, knowledgable staff member. Some of the furniture is original, including the bed in which the president was born. Later, we tour the museum itself, filled with artifacts, and supplemented by its World War I exhibit, perhaps a fairly recent addition designed to recognize the approaching centennial of that conflict. Equally fascinating is the Wilson limosine on display, a handsome Pierce Arrow, complete with a terrific display detailing its near-demise and eventual preservation, itself a wonderful story. How it could be left for years rusting and vandalized in a field and shed is beyond me.
We leave Staunton after our interesting day, sure that some day we will return to see more. Our vacation, sadly, nears its end.
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