This is the first post for our new monthly feature on "Staff Perspectives." Every month we will be introducing you to a member of the staff here at the FDR Library and giving a look into who we are and what we do. Matt Hanson I first began working for the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential … Continue reading Staff Perspectives
Do you remember your childhood excitement when you received an invitation to a party? Imagine how exciting it would be to receive an invitation to a party at the White House! While Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s children were all adults during the White House years, two of their grandchildren lived for a time in the … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Renovation of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum began on May 27, 2010 as Kirchhoff-Consigli Construction Management, LLC , Pleasant Valley, NY was given the notice to proceed on the first phase of a three year project with a budget of $35 million in federal funding. The project is designed by the … Continue reading Renovation Update
First President to Fly in/Steer a Blimp? Franklin D. Roosevelt was the first sitting president to ride in an airplane, an occasion marked by a very long overseas flight to attend the 1943 Casablanca conference. FDR’s distant cousin, Theodore, was the first president ever to fly, a trip that took place back in 1910 shortly … Continue reading Found in the Archives
On January 18, 1935, President Roosevelt spoke to Congress on social legislation. He asked for broad social security programs, unemployment compensation, old age pensions, federal aid for dependent and crippled children, and federal aid to state and local public health agencies. Later that year on August 14th, FDR signed the Social Security Act into law. … Continue reading Franklin D. Roosevelt Day by Day – January
How the Roosevelts Spent Christmas, 1936 As the holiday season approaches, we often get asked for details about how the Roosevelts spent Christmas in the White House. This memorandum describes the plans for Christmas 1936, including how the White House was decorated, the First Family's schedule and house guests, and even procedures for opening presents. … Continue reading Found in the Archives
Fala's Christmas Stocking (MO 2006.347) In 1941, the staff at the Roosevelt Library celebrated the new institution’s first Christmas by decorating President Roosevelt’s private study. The adornments included this small, blue stocking for FDR’s beloved Scottish terrier, Fala. The stocking can be seen in the photo above hanging next to the President’s. The scene … Continue reading From the Museum
What was President Franklin Roosevelt doing on December 7, 1941, before he learned of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor? Which advisers did he summon when he realized that America was on the brink of war? Most Americans know where the President was on December 8th, but where was he on December 6th . . … Continue reading Franklin D. Roosevelt Day by Day
"Remember Pearl Harbor" Weathervane (MO 2005.377) Tomorrow, December 7, marks the 70th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. In the early morning hours of that December Sunday in 1941, Japan unleashed a devastating surprise attack on American military installations in the Pacific. The worst blow came at Hawaii, site of the giant Pearl Harbor … Continue reading From the Museum
Medjez el Bab Horseshoe (MO 1944.104.6) In November 1943, President Roosevelt traveled to the Middle East to meet with other Allied leaders and discuss strategy at the Cairo and Tehran Conferences. While en route, FDR visited Tunisia to tour the sites of several battles fought there during the previous year. During a November 21 stop at Medjez el Bab, FDR lunched with General Dwight D. … Continue reading From the Museum
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