We were in Hyde Park today. There are five different National Historic Sites here: the home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt's home (Val-Kill), Top Cottage (FDR's cottage), FDR Presidential Museum, and the Vanderbilt's mansion. We made it to three of the five. Both the homes of Franklin and Eleanor were guided tours. To date, by the way, we have now been to 9 of the 12 official presidential libraries and a total of at least 69 national historical sites/parks (most this last year).
The two photos above represent the beginning and the end of FDR's life. The "beginning" because he was born in this house in 1882. The original house did not have the two story wings or the third story; these were added after FDR and Eleanor were married. The "end" because he was buried in the rose garden next to the house in 1945.
The above photo is the front of Val-Kill (kill means river). This was the private home of Eleanor. She had wanted to get away from her mother-in-law and remodeled this building as her private residence. The building was originally built by Eleanor as a factory for Val-Kill Industries, built in 1926 to make high quality furniture. The factory closed in 1936 and Eleanor converted it into her home. (FDR never spent the night at Val-Kill; he promised his mother that he would always stay at the family home. Do you think his mother, Sara, was dominating?)
The gentleman to the right of FDR and Eleanor is Louis Howe. Louis had a room at the White House, at Campobello, and at the family home. Louie was in the newspaper business and became the politial advisor for FDR very early in FDR's political career. FDR relied a lot on Louie's opinions. Louie convinced FDR to run for president even though FDR thought his polio would keep him out of the race.
The gentleman to the right of FDR and Eleanor is Louis Howe. Louis had a room at the White House, at Campobello, and at the family home. Louie was in the newspaper business and became the politial advisor for FDR very early in FDR's political career. FDR relied a lot on Louie's opinions. Louie convinced FDR to run for president even though FDR thought his polio would keep him out of the race.
Eleanor was quite a "First Lady." We have not had as strong a "First Lady" before or after. While we were at Val-Kill,one of the park rangers said that Ken Burns will be doing a special on the Roosevelts, maybe next year. The special will star Theodore, Franklin, and Eleanor!
The dog was FDR's and its name is Fala. FDR took him almost everywhere and when FDR died the dog became Eleanor's dog.
Here's an EXTRA for today: If you look very close at the photo above (double-click it), you will see that the name of the store is the Rhinebeck General Merchandise Co. This is in Rhinebeck, NY. If you have been following the upcoming marriage of Chelsea Clinton, the wedding is suspected to be at the Astor estate in Rhinebeck, NY. The wedding is estimated to cost $2,000,000!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Go figure!
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