The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum has embarked on a historic campaign to raise $2 million to acquire, renovate, retrofit, and endow a beautiful historic two-story mansion, called Kenwood by its previous owners, directly adjacent to the Dolores Lescure Center, which houses our Woodrow Wilson Museum. This building will be renovated into an incomparable Library and Research Center that will be fully integrated into the existing campus. Converting this historic property into a premier library and research center is an elegant, appropriate, and responsible answer to pressing needs for additional space. 

The building is an immediate solution for the responsible storage of papers in a state-of-the-art archival storage system, and is large enough to support future acquisitions. Moving the library and archival functions from the Dolores Lescure Center to this new facility will also have the benefit of opening up space for enhanced educational programs and growing tourism to the Museum.  The purchase and retrofitting of this property will create a cohesive campus filled with historic buildings while retaining and preserving a home consistent with Victorian Staunton at a cost that is 300% less expensive than new construction.  Put another way, a new library and archive is a major step in the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library and Museum’s goal of creating a public institution that uses history to promote civic health at a time of tremendous need – for Virginia, for our nation, and for the world. 

We are pleased that we recently received a $100,000 challenge grant from the Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation to be used for the development of the Library and Research Center.  To receive this funding, the WWPL must match the grant with other private donations toward the Library and Research Center Campaign.  The Robert G. Cabell III and Maude Morgan Cabell Foundation was established in 1957 by Mr. and Mrs. Robert G. Cabell III of Richmond, Virginia, as a private charitable foundation.  Its purpose is to provide financial support for capital projects for non-profit organizations in Virginia.

We are pleased that we recently received a $75,000 grant from the Garland & Agnes Taylor Gray Foundation, a supporting organization of The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, to help with the development of the Library and Research Center at the Presidential Library.  The Community Foundation Serving Richmond and Central Virginia, with combined assets of $667 million, is one of the largest grantmakers in Virginia.  Established in 1968, the Foundation provides stewardship and philanthropic options for endowments to enhance the lives of Virginia citizens.  The Garland & Agnes Taylor Gray Foundation focuses on support for cultural, historical, and educational organizations that significantly impact the quality of life of Virginians.  Previously a private foundation, the Gray Foundation became a supporting organization of The Community Foundation in 1997.

We encourage you to tour this facility and financially participate in this campaign.  Please contact William Browning at 540-885-0897 ext. 119, or wbrowning@woodrowwilson.org.