We did our homework early, which has added to our enjoyment of the film. Nearly two weeks ago, when we were in the Hudson Valley, we revisited Hyde Park and the FDR Presidental Museum and Library. We had last been there about 25 years ago, and our memories were quite hazy about that visit. I do recall being impressed with the presidential desk which was displayed on a circular carpet with a railing all around it. I recall the docent speaking about the items on the desk and thinking that when his back was turned, someone could easily just snatch something off the desk. It was a time of a lot less security, that's for sure. But I didn't have any other recollections about the FDR home or the other contents of the site. In fact, I thought that the desk I described was in the house, but after doing a tour of the house this time, I know that wasn't the case. I believe it was a central exhibit when you entered the museum, but now you don't encounter the desk until near the end of the museum tour.
Eleanor and Franklin greeted us as we arrived at the newly constructed visitor center. We hadn't realized, but the FDR Presidential Library and Museum had recently reopened after a three year overhaul, so no wonder everything looked different to us.
There were several informational displays in the visitor center and the necessary museum shop, and we were instructed to browse until the time of our National Park Service docent lead tour which started at this beautiful ceramic map of the area:
The FDR home is one of many pretty properties that line both sides of the Hudson River. Like many old mansions in the area, it started out as a more modest Italianate-style house and then as the family grew, wings were added to the north and south side of the original structure and a third floor was added, as well. These additions were mostly bedrooms, children's play areas, and servants quarters.
The interior of the house was left as it was when FDR last lived there... I believe the docent said that his clothing was even left in the closets. He had actually planned for his home to be a "park" and he had designed his own presidential library which is on the grounds. I guess he realized he was famous and historically significant!
I didn't take many photos inside the house, because the interior was quite dark from treatments they used on the windows to preserve items inside, but here is a photo of FDR's library/living room:
It's hard to see, but just slightly behind that left green chair there is one of his wheel chairs.
Adjacent to the house is a lovely horse barn that has more of a Scandinavian feel to it's design:
And just in front of this barn there was a lovely garden, a colorful riot of annuals and perennials. I just had to include a photo of that:
The gardens included a rose garden, of course, the rose/Roosevelt connection, but that garden area had very few blossoms this time of year. And the gardens nicely surrounded FDR's and Eleanor's final resting place:
Only Franklin and Eleanor are buried here (and a family pet or two). FDR's mother and other relatives are buried in a church cemetery in the nearby village of Hyde Park, NY.
After that we headed to the newly opened library/museum and it was well worth experiencing. It's got wonderful interactive displays, lots of videos, and of course so many mementos of the life and times of two very influential 20th Century Americans, Franklin and Eleanor. If you get to the Hudson Valley, make sure to allow several hours for your visit!
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