Staunton author tells history of Virginia's presidents in new book

STAUNTON — Heather Cole has a passion for both history and writing, making her just released project nearly perfect for the Staunton woman.

Recently her book, "Virginia's Presidents: A History & Guide" was published by The History Press. It focuses on the eight presidents born in Virginia and, as she writes in the preface, is aimed at the casual reader who not only wants to learn about those presidents but the historic homes and sites associated with them.

Cole's background isn't specifically related to presidential history, instead focusing mostly on late 19th and early 20th century American history after earning a master's degree in history.

"The only president that actually fits into my window is Woodrow Wilson," Cole said.

Cole moved to Staunton from Massachusetts eight years ago. Before relocating to Virginia, she had done some work with museums and in archiving. She had also written a couple of books with the publisher of "Virginia's Presidents," so she was familiar with what they wanted.

Currently, Cole is an archivist for the National Radio Astronomy Observatory. While the observatory is located in Green Bank, West Virginia, Cole works in its Charlottesville headquarters. She is also involved in other freelance work and has been an interpreter at Staunton's Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library.

"That was the immediate impetus for this book," Cole said.

While homeschooling her children, Cole was looking for something to do with them over the summer about five years ago. She had heard that more presidents were born in Virginia than any other state. She and her children spent that summer touring the homes of those presidents.

"I don't know if they had a good time, but I found it interesting," Cole said.

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Subsequently, through her work at the Wilson Presidential Library, Cole met other families doing similar tours. Talking with them got her to wondering if there was a book on the topic available. Her research showed there were no in-print guides to only the Virginia presidents.

There is a chapter on each president in Cole's book, starting with George Washington and followed by Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, James Monroe, William Henry Harrison, John Tyler, Zachary Taylor and, finally, Woodrow Wilson.

She described the chapters as a "dummy's guide to what you probably should have learned in high school about that president" and then a listing of the historic houses, museums and sites. While most of the sites are in Virginia, not all are. For instance, there's information on Wilson's boyhood home in Augusta, Georgia; the Zachary Taylor National Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky; and the Octagon Museum in Washington, D.C. that served as Madison's home for six months following the burning of the White House in the War of 1812.

There's also another chapter on other presidential sites in Virginia, including the burial sites of both William Howard Taft and John F. Kennedy at Arlington National Cemetery; and a retreat for Theodore Roosevelt in Albemarle County.

"I spent 2022 researching and writing," Cole said. "And then going and visiting all these sites again."

She found a lot of interesting facts during her research. While most people know a great deal about Washington, Jefferson, Madison and Monroe, as well as Wilson, she said less is known about the other three presidents.

William Henry Harrison was only president for 31 days, but she writes about his military career in the 1820s and 1830s. Tyler, who was born in 1790 and took office following the death of Harrison, has a living grandson in his 90s. Taylor was born in Virginia because his family was traveling to Kentucky and someone got sick. The future president was born at a relatives' house in Orange County during the stop.

"He was born here so we can claim him," Cole said of the 12th president.

Cole includes a lot of information on the presidents, both about their time in office and their lives before being elected. She also doesn't shy away from the history that isn't as positive.

"All eight of the presidents who were born in Virginia were born into homes that were staffed by enslaved people," Cole said. "Including Woodrow Wilson here in Staunton."

And all but Wilson owned slaves. Cole writes about that history and lets readers know how the presidential sites deal with that history. Most of the sites she visited try to tell that story, she said, although some do a better job than others. She recommended the tour at Mount Vernon very highly, saying she felt the story on the history of slavery is very well told.

"Literally, by the end of it, everybody was in tears," Cole said of Mount Vernon. "It was just a really powerful experience."

Cole believes, as a historian, telling all of the story is important and she thinks historical sites are doing a better job now at that than in years past.

Cole will be discussing her book Monday, Feb. 20, at Staunton's R.R. Smith Center for History & Art located at 20 S. New Street. The talk begins at 7 p.m. and her book will be available for purchase for $24. Proceeds will benefit the Augusta County Historical Society and the Woodrow Wilson Presidential Library.

She also has a presentation scheduled for Thursday, April 13, at 4 p.m. at the Staunton Public Library. Both that talk and the one at the Smith Center are free.

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— Patrick Hite is The News Leader's education reporter. Story ideas and tips always welcome. Contact Patrick (he/him/his) at phite@newsleader.com and follow him on Twitter @Patrick_Hite. Subscribe to us at newsleader.com.

This article originally appeared on Staunton News Leader: Staunton author tells history of Virginia's presidents in new book