FDR Presidential Library and Museum
New Deal, World War II History at Roosevelt Home on the Hudson
Sep 7, 2009
The first presidential library ever officially created was that of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the four-term U.S. president whose era spanned the Great Depression and World War II. It is located at his family estate along the Hudson River in Hyde Park, a town two hours north of New York City.
Today seniors who still remember FDR as well as visitors from around the world come to tour the president’s home, Springwood, and the gravesites of FDR and his famous first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. In addition, scholars use the FDR Library to research events relating to his and Eleanor’s life and work.
The museum, which is operated as a National Historic Site by the National Park Service, contains 35,000 objects -- his personal treasures and gifts as well as educational displays divided into five galleries.
The five are devoted to “the Early Years,” “The New Deal Years,” “World War II, Eleanor Roosevelt as “first lady of the world,” and one gallery of rotating topics.
Museum Relates History of Depression, New Deal, FDR Campaigns
At the museum tourists can see photos relating to his privileged childhood and his battle with polio, including a wheelchair. Also here are:
- his famous collection of ship models and naval prints;
- his 1936 Ford Phaeton, a convertible auto built for the crippled leader with special hand controls;
- campaign buttons and posters;
- material about the Depression and the New Deal;
- the desk he used in the White House Oval Office during the 12 years he served as president;
- auto and video exhibits about wartime secrecy in the White House “Map Room” communications center.
The newest part of the FDR Library and Museum was opened in November 2003. It is a separate building – the Henry A. Wallace Center – named in honor of the man who served as his secretary of agriculture and one of his vice presidents. It orientation information about the entire complex, an auditorium, a café, New Deal Store and a floor map in mosaic tile, showing Hyde Park as it was when FDR remembered it.
FDR Library and Archives Model for Other Presidential Libraries
The Library is the only one used by a sitting president, and was a model for the U.S. presidential library system. Archival holdings include documents of the public careers and personal lives of Franklin and Eleanor as well as those of numerous historical figures associated with them.
Summary: the FDR Presidential Library and Museum is dedicated to the achievements of the longest-serving U.S. president. Nearby is Val-Kill, a separate historic site devoted to Eleanor Roosevelt.
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