Explore Springwood, the birthplace, lifelong home and burial place of the 32nd President of the US, Franking Delano Roosevelt.
North of New York City, overlooking the Hudson River, lies the house Franklin Delano Roosevelt always called home, Springwood. James Roosevelt, Franklin’s father, purchase a 15-room house in Hyde Park, New York for $40,000, a very large sum for the day. It was in this home, in 1882, that little Franklin was born.
After the death of his father, his mother Sara continued to reside in the home. In 1905, Roosevelt and his new wife, Eleanor, moved back in with mom. Roosevelt, along with his mother (it was still her house), enlarged the home to its present size in 1915. The home became a place for entertaining, an essential activity for a young politician.
During his presidency, Roosevelt returned to his favorite residence almost 200 times. He even hosted King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of Britain (Elizabeth II’s parents) here at Springwood, as well as, Winston Churchill and other European royalty.
Roosevelt’s last visit to Springwood was in March 1945, about two weeks before his death. He was buried here in his rose garden on April 15, 1945, alongside his dogs and later his wife, Eleanor. And that is where we will start our tour of Springwood.
The Roosevelts’ tomb is actually the start of the tour.
One of the stables added by Roosevelt’s father, James.
This is one very fancy stable.
Now to the house. The current look dates from Roosevelt and his mother’s additions in 1915, which doubled the size of the house by adding new wings. The front of the house was completely redone. The porch was added on and even the original white siding of the house was removed and replaced by stucco.
The foyer is full of goodies, like sculptures, taxidermied animals and artwork completely covering the walls. That large statue is Roosevelt as a young man.
The family dining room, filled with expensive wooden furniture that was impossible to photograph.
And there is Sara Roosevelt, forever hanging in the dining room.
The Music Room, where much of the entertaining was had. All those photos on the piano (hidden under the black cloth) are all the important people, including royalty, that visited the home.
The Snuggery, which Sara Roosevelt called this room, is where she had her breakfast served and where she paid the bills.
This is the library and living room. This is where Roosevelt spent a lot of his time “working on his collections.” It isn’t hoarding if you are rich apparently.
I do really admire this room though, especially these bookshelves.
He didn’t have to worry about getting to the second floor of his house at all. He had his own elevator.
The servant’s wing of the house.
This was Roosevelt’s boyhood bedroom.
He even had a little desk to work on his schoolwork on.
The Pink Room was used by King George VI of Great Britain and Winston Churchill.
The Chintz Room was used by Franklin and Eleanor until the south wing of the house was added in 1915 and then later used as a guest room. Queen Elizabeth (Elizabeth II’s mom) stayed in this room.
The Birth Room was where Roosevelt was born. This is the actual bed, too.
Roosevelt’s fancy bedroom. It has really nice views of the Hudson River and the mountains.
Eleanor moved into her own room after Roosevelt came down with polio. She liked things simple.
In 1943, Roosevelt donated his very large estate (that now included a sizable forest) to the American people. His family was allowed to stay here for their rest of their lives, but they gave the home to the National Park Service in 1945. Franklin loved the National Park Service and was glad to share his family home with the rest of us.
The home today is park of Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site in the town of Hyde Park. You can visit the home through tours and included in the ticket is Roosevelt’s presidential museum and archives.
Check out the other posts in my Spotlights series!
