Recognize the profile? No, then what about our 32nd President. The New Deal, Social Security Act, Human Rights, Civil Rights? We made a visit to Franklin Delano Roosevelt's home in Hyde Park, New York, on the banks of the Hudson River.
This should be a more familiar photo of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt.
Born in 1882 at the home we were about to go into, he died in 1945 and was buried here also. Later his wife Eleanor was buried alongside him. But first a little about FDR. Having been born and raised in a privileged childhood he was guided into a career in law then decided to enter the world of politics. He was very successful in politics and was elected as New York State Senator in 1911 at the age of 29. His next position was Assistant Secretary of the Navy from 1911-1920.
This picture taken just before he entered the political arena.
Tragedy struck in 1921 when he contracted polio. He spent the next 8 years in rehabilitation and out of the public eye. He did regain use of his upper body but never walked again without assistance and braces.
He returned immediately to the political world and his request to never be shown in his wheelchair was honored by the media. Can you see that happening today. He is the only person in history elected to be the leader of his country who could not walk or stand on his own.
In 1928 he was elected as Governor of New York. Notice he is simply sitting at his desk. No evidence of his disability.
.
In 1932 he left his position as Governor of New York because he'd been elected as President of the United States.
His profile first appeared on the dime in 1946, the year after his death. It remains on it to this day.
Below is a picture of the front entrance to FDR's childhood home. When he died suddenly in 1945 it was decided to keep the house just as he left it, including all knickknacks, clothing and photos.
Greeting room. The pictures on the piano are royalty visits.
This study and den built in one of two additions to the original house was so filled with FDR you actually expected him to come into the room. It was like he was still there. A wonderful feeling.
This room was used by FDR's mother until her death in 1941. Notice the television behind the rose chair. It has a reflective mirror above the picture tube. It was believed at one time that the picture was dangerous. FDR's father refused to invest in this device because he believe there was no future in it.
Below is The Pink Room. The rosewood bed and bureau were rescued from a fire in 1866 that destroyed their original Hudson Valley home just a couple of miles up the road. Among the distinguished guests to use this room were King George VI of Great Britain and Sir Winston Churchill.
Across the hall is the boyhood bedroom of FDR. He used this room from his youth until his marriage in 1905. As each of FDR's sons became the oldest at home, he moved into this room.
A luxurious bath.
The next room down the hall is the Chintz Room. This room was used by Franklin and Eleanor until 1915 when the south wing was added. Later dignitaries to stay in this room included Queen Elizabeth II. The twin beds are from Val-Kill Industries, a company operated during the 1920 and 30's by Eleanor Roosevelt and two of her friends.
Val-Kill is the only home Eleanor owned and she always felt more comfortable in it and spent much of her time there. After FDR's death she moved into it. It is about 2 miles north of the family home and built in 1925.
Back to our tour of the family home known as Springwood. On January 30, 1882 Frankly D. Roosevelt was born in this bed. It is the bedroom of Sara Roosevelt.
Franklin D. Roosevelt's bedroom with it's sweeping view of the Hudson River and mountains. He and Eleanor shared this room until he contracted polio. She then moved to the adjoining room.
Fala, the President's beloved Scottie, slept on the chair at the foot of the bed, his leash and blanket remain.
Even the closet in the adjoining bath still hold Franklin's clothes as he left them.
Eleanor Roosevelt's bedroom. Eleanor consider Springwood to be the domain of her mother-in-law and never felt at home here. Eleanor and Franklin built Val-Kill in 1925 as her retreat in the eastern section of the Roosevelt estate. The meager furnishings would support her feelings about Springwood.
The south wing. FDR's bedroom windows in upper left side with green shutters.
Sara's rose garden.
Beautiful landscaping.
After leaving the house we walked to the Library and Museum. Dedicated in June 1941, this is the first presidential library and the only one to be occupied by a sitting president. This outdoor garden is gated by statues of Roosevelt and Churchill and the two body statues between which appear to have graffiti are actually cut from the Berlin Wall after it's fall.
Inside the Library were these two bronze busts of the Roosevelt's.
On February 15,1933, just a year after his first term began, an assassination attempt nearly killed FDR. Having just slid down into his open car after greeting the crowds from atop the back seat, shots rang out. A bystander deflected the hand of the assassin sparing the President from being shot. Four were wounded and the Mayor of Chicago, Anton Cermak, was fatally wounded. Roosevelt yelling out "I'm all right! I'm all right!" insisted Cermak be put in his car and driven to the hospital. An unemployed bricklayer, Giuseppe Zangara, confessed saying he hated all officials and anyone rich. He was executed for the murder of Cermak on March 20, 1933,
And as it seems to be with every presidency is the question of is it just a friendship or is it a relationship? They each enjoyed close friendships which lead to gossip and to this day historians continue to speculate.
It was rumored that Eleanor was romantically attached to the state trooper Earl Miller assigned to protect her. She was also rumored to have a romantic relationship with pioneer newspaperwoman Lorena Hickok. And there was also speculation about FDR's romantic involvement with his long time secretary Marguerite LeHand and his distant cousin Margaret Suckley. So even the best are not immune.
In the Museum is this baby cradle used by Sara for her son Franklin.
Family photo 1916. L-R Elliott, FDR, Franklin Jr., James, John, Eleanor and Anna.
John, Sara, FDR, Franklin Jr. and Eleanor.
FDR's Four Freedoms
His study in his Library.
Being President for so many years and the strain on him physically, mentally and emotionally must certainly have contributed to his early death. He was only 63 years old. Eleanor was 60. She lived on fighting for human rights until her death in 1962 at the age of 78.
This desk, with all the souvenirs on top was as he left it in April 1945.
Eleanor helping JFK's campaign.
Such a cool car. All decked out so he could drive it. This was just one exhibit. The museum contained 51,000 books from his private library, his art and his ship collection. His stamp collection which numbered over 1.2 million stamps was sold through an auction house.
Even the bridge was named for him. After our tour we came out of the Library to a total downpour. It stopped raining as soon as we got in the car.
Driving back to the park we drove through a really cute town called New Platz. Lot's of cute and in some cases hippy like shops. Very colorful and quaint.
Groovy baby!
At the top of the mountain range we drove over on our trip back was the Mohonk Country Golf Club.
We sure had a good day. There was so much more to see but it will have to wait for another day. We explored the Roosevelt's lives, the history of the Great Depression, The New Deal and World War II, all during the presidency of FDR. Maybe one day we'll get back to Val-Kill and tour Eleanor's home and office It too is now a National Historic Site. I hope I gave you a decent sampling of FDR's life. We only scratched the surface. Consider this a trailer for you to go and explore more.
Thanks for visiting, come back soon. West Point is next week.
No comments:
Post a Comment