Ramblings, Sept 20

Another wonderful day.  Went  on morning walk and ran into Paul Sparrow,  Director of the FDR Presidential Library.  Nice conversation with a bit of smoozing on my part.

I then proceeded to be the back up on 3 tours of Springwood.

The first tour was led by Ranger Bob shown here in the parlor

Next tour was led by Ranger Paul as shown at the pause near the graves.

On the third tour, I ended up being totally alone in the house. I thought one of the rangers were downstairs but nope.  So I took  a ton of photo. Here are some.

Library/Living Room from 1915 renovation.

Statue of FDR at age 28. Strangely it shows him with no legs. The sculptor said he could not envision  his legs. This was done 11 years  BEFORE polio. Gave me chills.

 

After contacting polio at the age of 39 in 1921, in order to move to the 2d floor, FDR rolled his wheelchair into a lift that had new used to move travel trunks and pulled himself up using ropes. He never wanted it motorized as his great fear was fire and being trapped.

 

 

Other items on first floor are dining room, music room, bird collection, gong to call children to dinner.

On the second floor are family and guest bedrooms.  In 1915 renovation, a three  bedroom suite was added for FDR,  Eleanor, and mother, Sara. With connecting doors between all

FDR’s bedroom..Fala photo on mantel. Fala also had his own chair to sleep in

FDR’s closet that has his navy cape, top hat for Inauguration, shoes.

Also in his bedroom are 2 phones. The one on the wall went directly  to the White House.

Next is Eleanor’s bedroom. Very simple.

Next is Sara’s bedroom.

Then FDR’s boyhood room.

Finally FDR at age 4. Sara did not want  to cut those curls.

 

It felt really odd to be in that house totally alone but what a photo op. Too many to post here.

More of the same tomorrow.

These rangers are amazing with all there knowledge and dynamic presentation skills. I am totally blown away and by brain is overflowing.