By Herman Eberhardt, Supervisory Museum Curator Visitors to the Roosevelt Library often ask me what I think is the most important artifact in the Museum. Since the Museum collection includes over 34,000 objects, that would seem to be a difficult question to answer. The collection covers a broad spectrum of artifacts, ranging from clothing, personal … Continue reading Artifact Highlight: FDR’s Oval Office Desk
Augustus Julius "Gus" Siko, 1921-1943 by William A. Harris, deputy director On this Memorial Day weekend, we'll again honor the service of Augustus Julius "Gus" Siko, one of the original FDR Library staff members and one of only four National Archives employees to die on active duty during World War II. His patriotism and sense … Continue reading Remembering Gus Siko: The FDR Library’s Gold Star Staff Member
by William A. Harris, Deputy Director A smiling Alma Van Curan, 1941. As archivists and historians know all too well, the most surprising documents are often the least obviously important ones. They lurk in plain sight, but they lack that "oh wow" brilliance of a "Day of Infamy" speech draft. The import of these less … Continue reading Unpretentious History: Alma Van Curan and the FDR Library Logbooks
by William A. Harris, Deputy Director President and Mrs. Roosevelt greet President and Mrs. Somoza at Union Station, May 5, 1939. (Photo courtesy of the Library of Congress, Harris and Ewing Collection) Many are familiar with the state visit of King George VI and Queen Elizabeth in the summer of 1939. That hot dog lunch … Continue reading Pomp and Circumstance: The Other State Visit of 1939
by William A. Harris, Deputy Director Eighty years ago today, on May 11, 1940, the world looked very different in Europe than it had just the morning before. Nazi forces had attacked the Low Countries--The Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg--on May 10th. The invasions had not come as a complete surprise, for Germany had been at … Continue reading May 1940: President Roosevelt and the German Invasion of the Low Countries
By Kevin Thomas, Special Events Coordinator The New York Times made it abundantly clear on September 20, 1918: F.D. Roosevelt Spanish Grip Victim Removed the previous day from the USS Leviathan in New York City, Assistant Secretary of the Navy Franklin Delano Roosevelt was taken to his mother’s residence in the city to recuperate. He was … Continue reading One of the Millions: FDR and the Flu Pandemic of 1918-1920
Portrait of Florence Harriman, ca. 1920s In 1937, President Roosevelt appointed Florence Jaffray Harriman (1870-1967) as United States' Minister to Norway. A founder of the Women's National Democratic Club and active in the Democratic National Committee, Harriman was related through marriage to W. Averell Harriman, future adviser to the President and governor of New York. … Continue reading Florence Harriman, Diplomat
The flag is lifted from the lowered casket of Franklin D. Roosevelt at the burial site in the rose garden by members of the military services. Eleanor Roosevelt stands to left with Anna and Elliott on April 15, 1945 in Hyde Park, NY. NPx 77-144(1). By Kevin Thomas, Special Events Coordinator The crowd kept their stare … Continue reading More than a Moment for the Nation: The Presidential Funeral of FDR
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
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
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