By Paul Sparrow, Director FDR Library As a young boy Franklin Roosevelt would explore the thousand acres of forest along the Hudson River that was his backyard. He loved to collect birds and he learned taxidermy so he could preserve his specimens using a form of arsenic soap. His work was good enough for the … Continue reading Hidden Treasures: FDR’s Rare Bird Books
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
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
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
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
FDR with Winston Churchill at the Casablanca Conference, January 1943. The year 1943 dawned with the slightest glimmer of hope that the balance of power in World War 2 was slowly shifting in the Allies favor. In the Pacific the Americans had won a bloody victory on Guadalcanal, and on the Eastern Front the Russian … Continue reading FDR, Churchill and their secret code names for Casablanca
The holiday season brings about the list maker in all of us, well, at least in those of us who give gifts—or make lists. The President certainly took a hands on approach to the Christmas season. We have folders of official gift lists accounting for hundreds of people. We've highlighted the gifts he bestowed in … Continue reading Making His List and Checking It Twice
Eighty-one years ago today, on December 15, 1937, the President broke with tradition to receive the new Nicaraguan ambassador to the United States, Dr. Leon DeBayle (sometimes de Bayle or De Bayle), in his West Wing office, not the White House Blue Room. Photo: Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division Though nattily attired in a … Continue reading A Diplomatic Break–In Tradition
The Veteran's Day we celebrate now was originally known as Armistice Day until 1954. The purpose of the holiday was to commemorate the end of World War I on November 11, 1918. Presidents often participate in ceremonies on November 11th at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, now the Tomb of the Unknowns, at Arlington National … Continue reading Veteran’s Day
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