STAUNTON, VIRGINIA--The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum is pleased to announce that President Woodrow Wilson’s 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine and the Presidential Library’s Woodrow Wilson reenactor were well-received during a recent trip to Kansas City. The Pierce-Arrow was awarded the “Most Exceptional Car” award at the June 27 Kansas City “Art of the Car Concours.” The Presidential Library’s Woodrow Wilson reenactor, Staunton resident Judd Bankert, was interviewed for a Kansas City Public Library program, “Meet the Past,” before 500 guests at the National World War I Museum on June 28. In addition, the car was on display for several days at the National World War I Museum and admired by hundreds of guests.
The Pierce-Arrow and Mr. Bankert were accompanied in Kansas City by WWPL President and CEO Don Wilson, Pierce-Arrow Committee Chair Richard Robertson, and Pierce-Arrow Committee members Bill Edwards, Al Morkunas, and Richard Obenschain. The National World War I Museum hosted and, with Thoroughbred Ford of Kansas City, co-sponsored the Pierce-Arrow’s trip to Kansas City.
The Pierce-Arrow was the featured car at the Kansas City Art Institute’s “Art of the Car Concours,” the largest vintage car show in the Midwest. The Concours, a benefit for student scholarships at the Kansas City Art Institute, features a wide variety of more than 200 vintage, classic, and special interest vehicles belonging to Kansas City area and national collectors. Vintage motorcycles, bicycles, race cars and fire trucks were also included in the show. For more information about the Concours, including photographs of the event, visit www.artofthecarconcours.com.
On June 28, the Presidential Library’s own Woodrow Wilson, portrayed by Staunton resident Judd Bankert, was interviewed before 500 guests at a Kansas City Public Library program, “Meet the Past with Crosby Kemper III.” After the one-hour interview, many in the audience came forward to see the Pierce-Arrow, meet President Wilson, and take pictures of both. For more information, including photographs of the event, visit http://www.kclibrary.org/event/meet-past-woodrow-wilson.
Throughout the weekend, the Pierce-Arrow was on display at the National World War I Museum at Liberty Memorial. The National World War I Museum was designated by Congress in 2004 as the United States’ official World War I Museum. The Museum presents a comprehensive interpretation of World War I and its lasting consequences, providing a vivid and memorable experience for visitors.
President Wilson first rode in his 1919 Pierce-Arrow limousine when he returned from France after negotiating the Treaty of Versailles after World War I. He fell in the love with the car, and his friends bought it for him after his second term ended. The Pierce-Arrow, which has been restored to full working condition, is owned by and displayed at the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum in Staunton, Virginia, where the President was born. The “Most Exceptional Car” award is now a part of the Pierce-Arrow display at the Presidential Library. For additional information about the Presidential Library, including photos of the events, visit www.woodrowwilson.org.
did you know?
Wilson was president throughout World War I. He attempted to keep America out of the war and even won reelection with the slogan "He kept us out of war." Nonetheless, after the sinking of the Lusitania, continued run-ins with German submarines, and the release of the Zimmerman Telegram, America became involved. with the Lusitania, the continued harassment of American ships by German submarines, and the release of the Zimmerman Telegram meant that America joined the allies in April, 1917.
Woodrow Wilson was President when the 19th amendment was ratified in 1920 giving women the right to vote.
Wilson piloted the ship that brought America onto the world stage. He made the first steps of leading us out of isolationism, violating Washington's tenet of avoiding foreign entanglements.
He led America during World War I. His fervent hope was for the US to join a League of Nations, the precursor to the United Nations.
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "Life does not consist in thinking, it consists in acting."
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "The Constitution was not made to fit us like a straitjacket. In its elasticity lies its chief greatness."
A Woodrow Wilson Quote: "I believe in democracy because it releases the energies of every human being."
The Seventeenth Amendment was formally adopted on May 31, 1913. Wilson had been president for almost three months at the time. The amendment provided for the direct election of senators. Prior to its adoption, Senators were chosen by state legislatures.
Wilson was the first president to receive a PhD which he got in Political Science from Johns Hopkins University. He had received his undergraduate degree from the College of New Jersey, renamed Princeton University in 1896.
Woodrow Wilson could not read during the first decade of his life. Though undiagnosed, he may have suffered from a learning disability
Woodrow Wilson was known as "Tommy" until his college years.
Woodrow Wilson during his boyhood, helped establish the "Lightfoot Baseball Club" with his friends. Wilson played second base and was an avid sport fan throughout his adult life.
Woodrow Wilson was the first president to attend the Major League Baseball Fall Classic. He saw the debut of a young 20 year old pitcher by the name of George Herman "Babe" Ruth.
Woodrow Wilson was a graduate of Princeton University and Johns Hopkins University and the only president to hold an earned doctoral degree.
Woodrow Wilson image is on the $100,000 bill although it is no longer in circulation
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