Who is this program designed for?

Primarily Girl Scout Cadettes, but younger Brownies and Juniors can participate with adult support.

How long does the experience last?

Approximately 90 minutes of interactive programming inside the Woodrow Wilson House.

Is prior knowledge of history required?

No prior knowledge is necessary. The program is designed to be engaging and informative for all skill levels.

Can families without Girl Scouts attend?

This program is tailored specifically for Girl Scout groups earning the Democracy badge.

Are there facilities for accessibility needs?

Yes, the museum accommodates visitors with mobility or sensory accessibility needs. Advance notice is recommended.

What is the cancellation policy?

Cancellations made 24 hours in advance receive a full refund. Partial refunds apply for shorter notices.

History Badge Adventure at Woodrow Wilson House Museum | History Tour

In the heart of Washington, D.C., the Woodrow Wilson House Museum offers a unique experience that marries history with hands-on learning in a way few adventure seekers might expect. The “Girl Scouts: ‘Democracy’ for Cadettes” program invites young adventurers to step back into the 1920s and live the life of a suffragist fighting for the right to vote. Located at 2340 S Street NW, this preserved historic home unlocks the story of democratic struggles and civic activism within an intimate, 90-minute interactive session.

What sets this experience apart is its blend of immersive education and active participation. Cadettes and other Girl Scout groups engage directly with the ideals and challenges of the suffrage movement, earning a badge as they take on roles of young women lobbying for their place in democracy. The setting itself—a well-maintained period house from Woodrow Wilson’s era—provides vivid context to the fight for voting rights, making abstract history tangible.

While not a typical outdoor adventure, the museum’s location in Washington, D.C., places it amid a rich cultural landscape dotted with parks, monuments, and trails that echo the very values the suffragists fought for. The program’s focus on civic engagement and American ideals creates a bridge between past and present, inspiring visitors to connect history with their role in the world today.

This experience is more than a history lesson; it’s an opportunity to see democracy through the eyes of courageous young women who shaped it. For local families, schools, and visiting Girl Scout troops, it stands out as an educational adventure filled with relevance, purpose, and memorable storytelling. The Woodrow Wilson House Museum transforms the D.C. scene, offering a rare chance to interact with history in a way that’s both meaningful and engaging.

About Woodrow Wilson House Museum

Woodrow Wilson House Museum in Washington, District of Columbia preserves the 1920s home of President Woodrow Wilson and First Lady Edith Wilson. A designated national historic landmark, the museum cares for more than 8,400 artifacts that document political, domestic, and cultural life in the early twentieth century.

The museum offers a variety of public experiences, including guided one-hour and 30-minute tours, a 75-minute behind-the-scenes program, a Garden Self-Guided Tour, and themed events such as the Prohibition Tour & Wine Cellar and Vintage Game Night. Special programs include a Girl Scouts "Craft & Tinker" badge workshop for Juniors, an Architecture Tour of the Georgian Revival house, and interpretive tours like Under One Roof and The Struggle for Liberation that explore domestic staff, race, and women's lives across generations.

Programming is led by professional staff and guest experts; the Museum Highlights Guided Tour is presented by Deputy Director Felice Herman. The museum offers weekly public tours, select thematic evenings, and private requests for deeper access. Conservation, contextual interpretation, and educational outreach guide operations, supporting reliable historical interpretation and artifact care. Visitors interested in presidential history, architectural detail, social history, or botanical interest in the sustainable native plant garden will find focused experiences that combine scholarship with accessible storytelling.

Located on historic Embassy Row, the house retains period furnishings and textiles that create a 1920s time capsule. Tours and programs are appropriate for families, school groups, scholars, and adult learners seeking deeper context about Wilson's presidency and American social history and civic memory.