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    The Octagon Mansion

    5.0 (2 reviews)

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    4 years ago

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    Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum

    Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum

    4.7(6 reviews)
    0.4 mi

    It was a quick, pleasant experience while my fiance and I were passing through the town. Filled…read morewith rich history. It was fun learning about Edith's life growing up. The worker was quite nice as well and answered any questions we had.

    Not yet open for tours (they are now but not then) when I stopped by so I was only able to view the…read moreoutside and read the historical marker. Mrs. Wilson (nee Bolling) was born here in Wytheville Virginia. In 1915, she married Woodrow Wilson. She served as First Lady of the United States until 1921. As FLOTUS, she played an outsized role after the President's stroke in 1919. She determined which communications and matters of state were important enough to bring to the attention of the bedridden President. When we look back at what she did and how well she did it, some consider her the first female President. The marker reads, "Edith Bolling Wilson was born here on 15 Oct. 1872, where she lived with her parents Judge William H. and Sallie White Bolling and ten siblings. Edith Bolling married Norman Galt in 1896 and after his death in 1908 she operated his Washington, D.C., jewelry store. She married President Woodrow Wilson on 18 Dec. 1915 and actively supported him and his policies. Following President Wilson's debilitating stroke in Oct. 1919, she managed his affairs during his convalescence and promoted Wilson's legacy after his death in 1924. Edith Wilson died on 28 Dec. 1961 and is interred with President Wilson at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C." [Review 14978 overall, 480 of 2021, number 1278 in Virginia.]

    Photos
    Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum - A young Edith Bolling Wilson at her birthplace

    A young Edith Bolling Wilson at her birthplace

    Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum
    Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum

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    Wythe County Genealogical and Historical Association - Lots of books, old maps, photos & letters from back in the day

    Wythe County Genealogical and Historical Association

    5.0(2 reviews)
    0.7 mi

    Great people!!! Super cordial and helpful!!! This facility…read moreis top notch for anyone working on their genealogy. Very organized files and very knowledgeable folks to help anyone who goes there

    Take a step back in time and discover your roots ! For…read morelovers of history and anyone interested in their ancestry, the newly expanded Wythe County Genealogic and Historical Association research center stands ready to assist with a library of over 1500 books, with records, letters and documents dating back to the 18th century. Nestled in the scenic mountains of southwest Virginia just off Interstate 81, the little town of Wytheville is a treasure trove of history of early America. Founded in the 1790's, Wytheville was a popular town for colonial tourists wanting to escape the summer heat of the deep South, the altitude providing cooler pleasant summers. There are plenty of winding mountain roads for scenic drives and panoramic views. Wytheville Historic District is on the National Register of Historic Places, as are many of the beautiful old buildings and churches in town. Edith Bolling Wilson, Woodrow Wilson's first lady was born in Wytheville. Stephen Austin, the "father of Texas" was born in Wythe County. A team of volunteers at the research center/library/museum is eager to help you. The managers say their only "problem" is that everyone who volunteers there loves the place and they are often found standing on the doorstep when it opens, whether or not it's their day to work. Biographies, research on the Civil and Revolutionary Wars, maps, old photographs and information on First Families of Virginia are all part of their library. Selected literature can be purchased online at their website for those who need in-depth detail, including wills, birth, death and marriage records. There is even a family recipe book. Local historians and genealogy enthusiasts have seized the opportunity to preserve the history of the early days and to share it with all visitors, some of whom have traveled thousands of miles to make their inquiries. 800 visitors and counting this year alone ! Nonprofit, no admission charge, open weekdays. Visited June 2015

    Photos
    Wythe County Genealogical and Historical Association - Just off Main St--  within walking distance to yummy & historical lunch places

    Just off Main St-- within walking distance to yummy & historical lunch places

    Wythe County Genealogical and Historical Association - Blue Ridge Mountains of  Virginia-  fall 2015

    Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia- fall 2015

    Wythe County Genealogical and Historical Association - I found my ancestors!   Really!

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    I found my ancestors! Really!

    Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia

    Settlers Museum of Southwest Virginia

    5.0(2 reviews)
    15.8 mi

    What a gem of a museum!…read more We were driving from Texas to West Virginia and stopping at antebellum mansions and other historic spots along the way. When we saw the sign for Settler's Museum (http://www.settlersmuseum.com/), I pulled off the road with a reluctant car of daughers and my partner. Upon leaving, they all proclaimed it to be the single best museum they had ever visited. Off the beaten path, this hidden gem is truly a step back in time to an 1800's farm. With no staff present, we deposited our donation in a jar or some other spot, and then picked up a handheld cassette that narrated our tour throughout the museum "office", school buidling, and then the home and farm buildings set back off the road. When my daughters charged forward to play an old organ in the home, I quickly stopped them only to hear the voice of our female historian issue forth from our cassette as she lovingly instructed parents to allow the children to play it if desired. Every item is open for kids to investigate and touch. The Settlers Museum in Atkins, Virginia is simple, beautiful, authentic, and takes you back in a time warp. I strongly encourage visitors to tour the place, and leave a donation worthy of keeping it alive.

    An absolutely amazing restoration of American history and the passion invested into this museum is…read moreevident. It is a true hidden gem in the most beautiful section of mountains along the Appalachian Trail.

    Old Salem Museums and Gardens - 1st Krispy Kreme

    Old Salem Museums and Gardens

    4.4(52 reviews)
    75.7 mi

    We popped by on a whim and ended up spending a lovely, informative hour-plus strolling thought this…read morehistoric village site, which is a collection of restored old homes and businesses (and yes, gardens) from the 1700 and 1800s. Interestingly enough there are private residences mixed in as well. OK, so maybe it's really not incredibly riveting but it's still kinda interesting to see how early American life played out for Moravian, Black, and Indigenous peoples that lived in the South. A few of the buildings had docents in period dress relating the history of the particular house (some of these require separate admission tickets) or demonstrating their trades. For instance, we passed by a gunsmith's shop with a working craftsman inside, but it cost to go in. The whole area includes the Historic Town of Salem, the Gardens at Old Salem, the Frank L. Horton Museum Center, and the Museum of Early Southern Decorative Arts (MESDA) and is a few blocks from Winston-Salem's main downtown area, so probably best to park at the lot of the Museum/Gallery/visitor center and walk across the very cool Old Salem Covered Bridge to the village. We didn't have time to see all the grounds - which by the way, also have the site of the Original Site of Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop, which we did see, and were hugely disappointed by. It ain't nothing but an empty lot. But if you like old stuff like I do, you'll dig Old Salem even if you just go for half an hour. Plus it's mostly free.

    Very educational and interesting. The tour was definitely worth the time and money. Make sure to…read morestop by the school for some fun games and loved the gunsmith shop

    Photos
    Old Salem Museums and Gardens - The Old Salem Heritage Bridge interior.

    The Old Salem Heritage Bridge interior.

    Old Salem Museums and Gardens - Vogler House

    Vogler House

    Old Salem Museums and Gardens - The Gunsmith's shop in Old Salem, NC

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    The Gunsmith's shop in Old Salem, NC

    The Octagon Mansion - museums - Updated August 2026

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