And scholarship commemorates, quote, the ideals and concerns of Woodrow Wilson. As both a distinguished scholar and national leader, president wilson felt strongly that the scholar and the policy maker were, quote, engaged in a common enterprise. Today, the center takes seriously his views on the need to bridge the gap between the world of ideas and the world of policy. Bringing them into creative contact, enriching the work of both and enabling each to learn from the other. This series, wilson then and now, is our effort to make wilson and his period more central to that creative contact between ideas and practice in national and global affairs. In a critical and inclusive way, we seek to highlight work on wilson and his time that offers explicit or implicit lessons for contemporary or enduring problems in public where international life. For this, episode we wanted to look beyond Academic Work in a narrow sense of articles and monographs. And look at the work of public scholars wrestling with the challenges with commemorating our past. To commemorate means to remember together. How should we collectively remember a past that has left so many different legacies for different people . More to the point today, how should we remember a figure like Woodrow Wilson . Whose legacy is both internally inconsistent and publicly contested. Can we find a way to explore and discuss the good, the bad and the ugly in our past when we dont always agree even on the meaning of those terms . And must we try . These are questions that hit home. This very series is part of a Wilson Centered effort to remember wilson and either way that is self serving or celebratory, nor cathartic lee damning, but relevant and useful to the greatest possible number of those americans who, today, are trying to build a better, richer, fairer commonwealth than the one they inherited. Later, you will hear from me about complimentary efforts. Including one to reimagine the centers permanent exhibit on wilsons life and legacys. And another, to celebrate the life and legacies of a prominent wilson critic. First, however, i want to welcome to guests. Who, not coincidentally, had been struggling with some of the same questions and challenges we have here. And it generously offered to share their stories. Robin robin von seldenecks president and ceo of the Woodrow Wilson president ial library and museum in staunton, virginia. Excuse me, stanton, virginia. As a wilson scholar mortified i mispronounced that. The birthplace of the 20th president. Robin first volunteered at what was then called Woodrow WilsonBirthplace Foundation as a College Student at next doors Mary Baldwin University just as the university was prepared to open. She maintained the relationship and eventually became ceo and director of finance before assuming overall leadership of the organization. In the meantime, robin earned a masters in Public Administration from James Madison university, served as dean of students at Stuart Hall High School and worked at Student Administration both mary baldwin and James Madison. Well overseeing the Wilson Library and museum, robin also serves on the virginias ocean of museums governing council. Where she represents museums in the mountain and valley district. As well as on the Advisory Board of visitors for Mary Baldwin University. She lives in stanton with her family. Welcome, robin. Thank you very much Elizabeth Karcher is the executive director of the president Woodrow Wilson the house on s street in washington, d. C. A site owned and managed for the National Site for Historic Preservation that provides a window into wilsons retirement and its actual and perfectly preserved setting. So as an intimate look at wilsons overall life and legacy. Prior to joining the National Trust and wilson house, elizabeth worked at discovery incorporated. A leading global media company. And served in many roles at the National Federation of womens clubs and the Junior Womens Club of chevy chase, maryland. Including serving as Club President , where she let the club transition to a 501 c 3 organization. Elizabeth received her bachelor of arts in International Affairs from the International University of paris, france before earning a bachelor of arts and International Relations from rogers university. Her interest in International Affairs extends far beyond her interest in wilson. Shes an adviser to the board of this chant affair nation which supports Sustainable Development in rural myanmar. Elizabeth lives in washington with her husband. Welcome, elizabeth. And welcome to our viewers from across the United States and many other places. We are grateful to have you with us, and eager to include you. After our two guests speak, i will respond with some questions and observations of my own. And that began cleaning comments and questions from the chat, which i urge you to fill. I ask only that you maintain a tone of inquiry and attitude of curiosity, taking care not to foreclose others questions or contributions. Lets get started. Robin, can i ask you to talk a little bit about your work at the Woodrow Wilson president ial museum and library in stanton, virginia . Sure, good afternoon, hello from stanton, virginia. It is a pleasure to be with you as we discuss this very important topic of Woodrow Wilsons legacy. Its a topic we discuss regularly on our board and staff, and alongside our visitors as we learn together. Our goal with Woodrow Wilson president ial library is to tell the story of Woodrow Wilson from birth to death. In an honest and objective fashion. We are just as comfortable showing the positives and the negatives. Or as we often say here, we talk about Woodrow Wilson, warts and all. The Woodrow Wilson president ial library, which is located at his first place, as you mentioned, has evolved over the years from its original incorporation as what was that known as the winter wasnt Birthplace Foundation. Our mission is to promote an understanding of the complexities of the life and times of Woodrow Wilson, his influence on the world, his relevancy today and for the future. This mission is a very different one than the original mission of the organization when it first opened in 1938. That mission stated that the goal of the organization was to purchase, preserve and maintain the birthplace to the end that that said property might be forever set apart as a National Shrine dedicated to the ideals and purposes for which Woodrow Wilson lived and died. That men of every nation and alltime might have a fair opportunity to enjoy the fruits of democracy. And thus be better enabled to attain the mental, moral, Spiritual Development intended for them by their defying creator. So, as i noted, the Woodrow Wilson president ial library was incorporated in 1938 as that Woodrow Wilson first place. Who was officially dedicated in 1941 by president Franklin Roosevelt as, quote, a new shrine of freedom. Regional trustees of the organization came from National Prominence and included such individuals as United States senators, members of wilsons cabinet and university professors, among others. The first president of the organization was mrs. Francis wits hall. Choose a staunton native and wife of the United States secretary of state cornell cole. Although not a board member, the biggest cheerleader and find this is mover and shaker was none other than wilsons widow, edith gault wilson. The library has evolved over the years from its original purpose, and over the years of acquiring some of the adjacent properties here, beside the birthplace, the Foundation Open the Woodrow Wilson museum with exhibits highlighting wilsons life and Public Service in 1990. And then entered it opened the library and Research Center in 2008. We will remain that which are listened president ial library in 2004, and it is an Educational Institution dedicated to but the study of nelsons life and the times in which he lived. From precivil war, 1856, to post world war i, 1924. Many of the issues we grapple with today as a country, things such as the role of federal government, immigration, womens issues, Race Relations, taxes, americas role in the world, these were all prominent concerns during wilsons time. At the Woodrow Wilson president ial library provides the historic background to understand the subjects. During our 83 year history, this institution has educated millions of individuals about these issues surrounding the 28th president. And the critical era in which he lived. To explain just a little more about him and who we are, our campus includes the presbyterian area where wilson was born. And we provide guided tours that highlight mid 19th century life in stanton, virginia. We feature both the Wilson Family but we also talked about the enslaved workers who lived and worked in that home when wilson was born there. A museum has seven permanent galleries, including an interactive world war i trench exhibit and president wilsons 1919 peers era president ial clemency. We talk about his birth and childhood in the south, his educational pursuits, his political life as governor of new jersey and president of the United States. But we have a temporary gallery where you try to explore life as it resonates with contemporary society. Looking at relevance for today. For example, our recent exhibit, protesting the president , compared protest topics from 1920 to today. Topic such as suffrage and civil rights issues. It shows how we really havent gone as far as we think we have as a society. Our team here is committed to creating learning opportunities that emphasize histories significance in todays world. Our traditional k through 12 Educational Programming provides school tours and outreach programs to schools. We were closely with the Virginia Department of education to ensure that programs meet the needs of teachers and students of all age. Additionally, we have symposia, lectures, panel discussions, guest speakers, a wide variety of topics that we cover as an ongoing part of our ongoing programs for adults. I think its important to state, we know and understand Woodrow Wilson is neither fondly remembered nor well understood by many americans. And the reality is that president wilson is a polarizing historical figure. But we are committed to discussing his full story. So, while we celebrate the Domestic Legislation that wilson signed into law and the new directions he chartered and Foreign Policy during the first world war, that shaped the politics and diplomacy of the United States throughout the 20th century and beyond, we also detail his deplorable views on race and segregation, and its Lasting Impact on the progress of social justice. So, as we look forward to the 250th anniversary of our founding of our country, we believe that we must examine the challenges that keep us from that ideal of human equality. A decision to focus on those issues in america, the world during wilsons time and how he both influenced and was influenced by these. Thank you. Thank you very much, robin, appreciate that. Elizabeth, will you please tell us about your work at to be street house . As i was socialized to call it. I like, that s street house. The name is the Woodrow Wilson house, it changed names about 12 years ago to the president Woodrow Wilson house. The wilson house, as we called it among ourselves, the wilson house, was also originally described as a shrine to Woodrow Wilson. The house itself was built by a famous architect, washington, d. C. , architect rod the wood. The wilsons moved into that house of 1921 on inauguration day. Many people to call it the house on s street, in colorado. But when edith and wilson went on to live there for another three years, he died of course in 1924 in this house, edith wilson went on to live in this house for another 37 years. So, in fact, having lived in the house for close to 40 years, he really did put a stamp on what the house would be. And she bequeathed it to the National Trust for Historic Preservation upon her death. In 1961. And it was opened to the public in 1963, became really officially a Historic House and museum in 1965. Her letters up equipment referred to it as being a shrine to Woodrow Wilson. And so, we struggle with that. Because we are not really a shrine any longer. We talk about it as being a place where we can talk freely about his legacy and the legacy that he has left. And legacy, i think, is a much richer word. It describes things that are both positive and negative. The consequences and result of some of the legislation in parts of his administration that, today, where realizing what that legacy is actually leaving. Such consequences of that legacy. The house itself is authentic and that we have over 8400 pieces of artifacts in the collection. As you can see behind me, the library is really untouched from the day that edith had turned it over to the National Trust. Very interestingly, for me, i came across a photograph of the house that was put into architectural digest in 1921, when the wilsons moved in. And in fact, architectural digest captured it and it looks very much like it did then. The wilson house is set up similarly to the library and the president ial library and museum in that we do tours, we have visitors come to do different types of tours. Those tours have changed since 1965. In todays world, what we focus on is wilsons legacy as president. His president ial years. But other things as well, we talked about the full story of the people who lived in this house, worked in this house. When we look at the architecture of the house and what it meant to be this style of architecture from the time. They do a tour called upstairs downstairs, where we describe the life of edith wilson in one day and that the people who lived in the house around her, to support the lifestyle in this house. In the subtle nuances that you find in a Historic House like this, they really describe what the upstairs downstairs means. We have now an Advisory Council which we have grown in the last two and a half years since i have started at the wilson house. That has been very, very rewarding because my Advisory Council, our members are from all over the world, actually. And some of them are still big fans of wilson and that will sony an era and others are very critical. And we need that balance to help steer our direction and our purpose. Our mission as part of the National Trust preservation is to preserve industry word to the house. The collections, the landscapes and its full dynamic history. And use it to provide forward thinking and inclusive discussions, programs and Community Activities that are relevant to todays social context. We really look to have debates, dialogue, discourse about what, in many ways, what happened 100 years ago and how those same things resonate today. Whether its talks about issues that wilson himself faced, womens issues, racial issues. And of course, international conflict. So, these are topics that we try to bring to life during our tours and for our guests. We are talking a little bit earlier, we have staff and a number of guides but we also have scholars who come and join us three times a year. We have a Scholar Program and we find