By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. Franklin Roosevelt’s ship model collection is truly remarkable for its size and for the variety of models. During the latter part of his presidency he received many models of war ships. Having served as Assistant Secretary of the Navy in WWI, President Roosevelt became the Commander in Chief … Continue reading FDR’s Ship Models – Part Two : 20th Century Naval Ships
By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was an avid collector – of objects, people and most importantly ideas. He was a connoisseur of naval art, stamps, rare first edition books and of course ship models. While he was well known for his stamp collecting, his first love was the sea. His … Continue reading FDR’s Ship Models Part One: Sailing Ships
By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. They don’t look very impressive, but they are two of the most remarkable books in Franklin Roosevelt’s personal library. This first edition, two volume set of The Federalist printed in 1788 by J. and A. M’Lean of New York, is historically significant, extremely rare, and has never been … Continue reading FDR’s “The Federalist” – A closer look at a priceless book
By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. Throughout American history our presidents have struggled to find the right balance between the highest ideals of our founding charters and the cold realities of national security. This is especially true in times of war. President John Adams passed the Alien and Sedition Acts, Abraham Lincoln suspended the … Continue reading Images of Internment
By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. Franklin D. Roosevelt is the only person who will ever have FOUR presidential inaugurations (thanks to the 22nd Amendment.) And each and every one of his inaugurations was historic in its own way. Every president from Washington to Roosevelt had been inaugurated in March. Why? Because the U.S. … Continue reading FDR’s Four Historic Inaugurations
By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. In January, 1943, President Roosevelt embarked on a secret mission that would determine the course of World War Two, and ultimately the world we live in today. His destination - Casablanca, Morocco. His goal - to finalize Allied military plans with the British Prime Minister, Winston Churchill. It … Continue reading The Casablanca Conference – Unconditional Surrender
By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. It was the worst day of his presidency, the worst day of his life – and the worst military defeat in American history. President Franklin Roosevelt’s beloved Navy lay in smoking ruins in Pearl Harbor, as the Japanese Empire launched well-coordinated attacks across a 4,000 mile front. The Nazis … Continue reading Day of Infamy
By William Villano, Astor Project Digital Curator. Shortly after 10:00 am on Tuesday morning May 27, 1941 the tall, thin, well dressed gentleman approached Hudson Terminal. His fine tailored suit, immaculately polished shoes, and priceless pocket-watch, that relic which had been held by his father as he perished in the icy waters of the North … Continue reading Socialite, and Spy Master: Vincent Astor, FDR’s Area Controller of Intelligence for New York
By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. Throughout his life, Franklin Roosevelt was surrounded by remarkable women. His mother Sara Delano, his wife Eleanor, his Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins the first woman to be appointed to the cabinet, and his distant cousin Daisy Suckley. But the woman who is perhaps least remembered but most … Continue reading Marguerite “Missy” LeHand: FDR’s Right Hand Woman
By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. Eleanor Roosevelt’s Tour of the South Pacific – August & September 1943. The summer of 1943 was a critical time for the Allies. The tide was just starting to turn as the Allied forces marked a series of hard won victories. The capture of Sicily was a stepping … Continue reading A First Lady on the Front Lines
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