EBW Prospectus

Founders & Board

From the Founders, Bill and Farron Smith In 1989, we purchased the Bolling Building and Bolling Family Home in Wytheville. Even then we had an idea, a dream if you will, to somehow share the story of First Lady Edith Bolling Wilson that began in this small ru ral Virginia town that would lead Edith Bolling to the White House. That dream had to wait until our children were grown and we could dedicate the time and resources needed to bring our vision for this historic building to life. By 2006 we established the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Foundation, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization, believing it to be one of the most important contributions we could make to our community in a lifetime. That same year, we proudly sponsored the Virginia Historical Highway marker now standing in front of the Bolling home – a lasting tribute to Wytheville’s “Favorite Daughter” and a visible first step in telling her story to the public. Soon after, we began renovating one of the storefronts below the Bolling family home to create a space for meetings, exhibits, and educational programs. On October 15, 2008, the Museum officially opened its doors. Family artifacts, entrusted to our care, finally had a proper place to be preserved and shared. It is tremendous ly gratifying to see how the museum has grown – welcoming students, travelers, and history enthusiasts from across the country and around the world, all eager to learn Edith’s story “From Wytheville to the White House.” Edith Bolling Wilson’s life offers an enduring example of leadership, resilience, and patriotic service. Her story resonates with people of all ages. We are proud that the dreams we once held has become a reality - one that continues to inspire and educate future generations. As Founders, we remain committed to preserving this legacy and advocating for the future of the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Foundation & Museum. As part of that commitment, it is our goal to transfer ownership of the Bolling Home to the Edith Bolling Wilson Birth place Foundation ensuring its stewardship for years to come. From the Board Vice Chair, Carolyn Ward My passion for place and connecting people to a purpose has been part of my life since growing up in Wytheville. This special historic site not only serves as a critical business anchor on Main Street in Wytheville, but a storehouse for the stories that define America’s origin – from the beginning of Girl Scouts, growth of the Red Cross, and the role of women in politics. I have served communities I have lived in as a professor, editor of a research journal, an author, and now as the CEO of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. However, as a personal endeavor and working volunteer, the most important service I provide is for my hometown trying to ensure the preservation and protection of the iconic historic site, the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace Museum . As one of only two Presidential historical sites located on a Main Street in America, and one of only eight museums dedicated to the interpretation of a First Lady, the role and importance of the Edith Bolling Wilson Birthplace is critical to preserving, protecting and understanding the place and the stories that have helped shaped this nation.