In 2023, the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum (WWPL) received a $150,000 matching grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) to replace its aging HVAC system in the historic Manse building, where President Woodrow Wilson was born in Staunton, Virginia. The 30-year-old system, crucial for protecting museum collections and visitor comfort, had been identified for replacement as part of infrastructure repairs first noted in 2020.

WWPL meticulously followed the complex federal requirements attached to the grant, including paying fair wages under the Davis-Bacon Act, adhering to the National Historic Preservation Act, and complying with the Build America Buy America Act. Installation of the new HVAC system began in late February and was largely completed by early March.

WWPL President and CEO Robin von Seldeneck reflected on the process, saying, “That’s the beauty of this grant — is that it allows small organizations like ours to be able to take care of our grounds and our buildings. It’s really hard to get funding. It’s really hard for me to talk with a donor and get anyone excited about just pure infrastructure. People will donate to programs, but it’s really hard to find people who will say: ‘yeah, I’ll replace your new HVAC system.’”

Unexpectedly, soon after the installation, WWPL was informed that federal funding had been withdrawn. The notification came via the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), bypassing the usual National Endowment for the Humanities channels. Von Seldeneck expressed concern about the swift change, saying, “I think priorities of this administration have changed. And, what we had applied for may be different. The priorities that we wrote the grant under may be different than the ones that are available now.”

Fortunately, with the HVAC installation nearly finished, the museum avoided losing thousands of dollars and ensured that the Manse remains a comfortable and safe environment for both its treasured archives and visitors. Von Seldeneck also noted that the museum missed out on installing smart conveniences like SMART thermostats due to the funding cut.

Despite the setback, WWPL is resilient. “If the COVID-19 pandemic taught us anything,” she said, “it taught us to remain nimble and flexible for different possibilities and have a backup plan, so we were able to bounce back from funding being pulled by the federal government.”

Looking ahead, the museum had hoped to leverage the funding to create new exhibits for America’s 250th Anniversary in July 2026. Now, only part of those plans can be realized unless significant donations are raised.

Von Seldeneck highlighted the competitive nature of federal grants, noting WWPL’s success in obtaining five grants over three years, including two during the pandemic, which allowed them to shift educational programs online. “It allowed us to continue operating even though we weren’t physically open for a certain period of time,” she said.

Though grant funding remains vital, von Seldeneck pointed out that American museums traditionally receive minimal government funding—sometimes as little as three cents per taxpayer annually. The sudden withdrawal of funds has raised concerns about the museum’s future and the impact of political changes on cultural institutions.

“We never tell someone how they should feel about anything [on display at WWPL or the information shared],” she emphasized. “If you come on a tour, you look at our exhibits, our goal is to be as objective as possible, give the facts and so that when a person leaves here, they’re making up their own mind [on topics related to Wilson and World War I].”

Replacing the HVAC system, she said, is a straightforward necessity without political implications. “There’s just nothing that should be politicized about that.”

Von Seldeneck stressed the importance of historical museums in today’s politically divided America. “We are essential to democracy, we’re essential to having a unified country,” she said.

She also expressed concern about knowledge gaps in American history education, noting that many students struggle to understand the era between the Civil War and World War II, a period crucial to understanding today’s country.

Much of the historical context and evidence about American political life during Wilson’s presidency remains at WWPL. Von Seldeneck explained, “History is not something that was just written once and then you put it away. History evolves. We learn new things, we’re finding out new things all the time.”

The Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library & Museum remains open at 230 E. Frederick Street in downtown Staunton and welcomes donations online to support ongoing preservation and educational efforts.

Originally reported by Rebecca Barnabi in Augusta free press.