The 75th Anniversary of FDR’s Death: His True Legacy – Leadership in Times of Crisis

By Paul Sparrow, Director, FDR Presidential Library As America and the world confront the deadly COVID 19 pandemic, we should all take a moment to remember the inspirational legacy of Franklin Delano Roosevelt on the 75th anniversary of his death. The society we live in today is based on his vision of global cooperation and … Continue reading The 75th Anniversary of FDR’s Death: His True Legacy – Leadership in Times of Crisis

Guest Blog: My Grandfather’s Leadership

Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, Chair of the Roosevelt Institute Board of Directors “The only thing we have to fear, is, fear itself. My grandfather spoke those words with metal braces wrapped around his polio virus-paralyzed legs during his first inaugural address on March 4, 1933, almost 90 years ago! At that moment America faced its greatest … Continue reading Guest Blog: My Grandfather’s Leadership

FDR’s D-Day Prayer

American troops head toward Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944. At 9:57 pm on D-Day, June 6, 1944, FDR sat in front of a microphone in the Diplomatic Reception Room at the White House waiting to begin a national radio address. Earlier in the day the President had held a press conference in the Oval Office … Continue reading FDR’s D-Day Prayer

New Exhibit and Book Spotlight Museum’s World War II Posters

By Herman Eberhardt, Supervisory Museum Curator. When I arrived as the new museum curator at the Roosevelt Library in the summer of 2003 I set to work understanding the museum’s rich collection of over 34,000 objects. My review turned up much that I expected to find. But there were also more than a few surprises. … Continue reading New Exhibit and Book Spotlight Museum’s World War II Posters

August 14: A Day of Two Anniversaries

By Paul M. Sparrow, Director, FDR Library. August 14th is a very significant day in the legacy of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Two of the most important and lasting achievements of his presidency occurred on this day - ten years apart. The Social Security Act was enacted on August 14th, 1935, and the official end of World … Continue reading August 14: A Day of Two Anniversaries

New Special Exhibit Opening at the Roosevelt Library

On Saturday, April 25, museum visitors will be able to experience a brand new special exhibit at the Roosevelt Library. The exhibit, titled The Spirit of the Gift: Gifts of State and Affection, features nearly 100 impressive and unusual presidential gifts given to FDR. The exhibit’s title is taken from President Roosevelt’s First Inaugural Address, in … Continue reading New Special Exhibit Opening at the Roosevelt Library

New Museum Virtual Tour!

On January 30, the Roosevelt Library unveiled its latest initiative to harness new media technologies to reach new audiences-- an online, interactive Virtual Tour of the Museum’s 12,000 square foot permanent exhibition. The Virtual Tour lets visitors from all over the world experience the Museum and access additional educational materials. Funded by a generous grant … Continue reading New Museum Virtual Tour!

The Roosevelt Library and Ken Burns’ “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History”

On September 14, 2014, PBS stations across the country will begin broadcasting the latest film by Ken Burns, The Roosevelts: An Intimate History. This seven-part documentary weaves together the stories of Theodore, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, three members of one of the most prominent and influential families in American politics. The 14-hour series marks the … Continue reading The Roosevelt Library and Ken Burns’ “The Roosevelts: An Intimate History”

Remembering Joseph Persico

The Library lost a dear friend and favorite researcher last week. Joseph Persico, best-selling author, historian and speechwriter for Gov. Nelson Rockefeller died at the age of 84. Persico wrote 12 books, including biographies of Rockefeller, Edward R. Murrow, CIA director William Casey and Franklin Roosevelt. He was selected to write the words etched in … Continue reading Remembering Joseph Persico