Existing Permanent Exhibits to Close April 30, 2012
NEW PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION OPENS MAY 1, 2012
This is an exciting time at the Roosevelt Presidential Library. We are undergoing a major renovation scheduled to be completed in late summer 2013. As part of the last phase of renovation, the existing permanent exhibits will close on April, 30, 2012. This is the first renovation of the Roosevelt Library building since it opened to the public in 1941. While it will not change the historic exterior of the building it will bring its infrastructure up to National Archives standards for the preservation of historic collections. The renovation will include an exciting new permanent museum exhibit that will bring a new deal to a new generation.
During the interim period we hope you enjoy our new exhibit, “The Roosevelts: Public Figures, Private Lives” — the largest photography exhibition ever assembled on the lives and public careers of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt. For more information about the new exhibit visit the exhibit information page on our website or read the press release.
As much as I welcome ANY information about Franklin D. Roosevelt at the FDR Library, I am depressed to learn that the new exhibit’s focus will be on the private lives of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt when, in reality, it was what they did in their public lives that makes them important historical figures and people of importance to us. Their private lives are really quite unimportant, historically speaking.
We now have the sad and frightening reality that almost no one born after World War II has any knowledge of WHAT Franklin Delano Roosevelt did as president that makes him such an important president.
Maybe, before too long, the FDR Library will mount an exhibit that will educate the two generations born after 1945 regarding just what it was FDR did as president that makes him one of the greatest presidents this country ever had — and maybe the greatest.
Sadly, if anyone asked today’s high school and college students (and teachers) to describe three important policies FDR enacted, you would be lucky to find one in a hundred who could pass that test.
The FDR Library has a lot of important work to do in informing an information-deprived public about FDR and the policies he courageously initiated as president.
Private lives may be fun for some, but it is the public lives of presidents that matter when all is said and done.
I’ll amend that to say:
“Sadly, if anyone asked today’s high school and college students (and teachers) to describe three important policies FDR enacted, you would be lucky to find one in TEN THOUSAND who could pass that test.”
The FDR Library has work to do!