Author: donnacornick

After talking to Doris, see part 2..I went to tour Val-Kill, and Stone Cottage. Eleanor’s cottages.

This is Stone Cottage, built in 1926.

 Val-Kill Cottage ( Kill is Dutch for stream) began as a  furniture factory in 1926, but closed in 1936. Even the First Lady’s business could not survive the Great Depression.

Val-Kill became Eleanor’s main home after FDR died. The photos are from inside Val-Kill Cottage 

The front door is at the back of the home.

Living room

One of several bedrooms

Photos in her bedroom 

Sleeping porch which ER loved

Dining  room

2d living room 

Where she met with JFK and he asked for her endorsement when he was running for President in 1960

Eleanor was a knitter. Her basket and needles 

Eleanor with her father, Eliot, and 2 brothers 

Swimming pool used by family and friends. ER, FDR, George VI, etc.

Val-Kill is very cosy, warm, inviting. Very unpretentious .. This was the place where the family gatheted for picnics, swims, hikes…..and Eleanor’s refuge.

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Next stop–views of the Hudson from a state park at Staatsburg. 

Anothet hot day here 

Ended day at Hyde Park Brewery..with burger comes free beer 🍺

Mrs Doris Mack. Volunteer at Val-Kill and knew Mrs. Roosevelt personally. Doris is 95 and originally from Durham NC. We had an immediate connection. Her husband played in The Navy Band (saxophone) during WWII. In 1947, they moved to Hyde Park and he earned a Ph.D in Social Work at Bard.

She is a Treasure and can tell some stories. She goes to St. James Episcopal Church and if she wants to go next Sunday I will call and take her..

Talk about living history..a beautiful lady.

This photo taken today shows her hand with photo of herself and Mrs. Roosevelt.

Article in WSJ about Doris’ service at Val-Kill. 2011.

https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702303812104576439973812108398

A Very Special meeting and just another incredible day 

Stay tuned for Part 3

Morning walk down driveway sites.

Fall is coming

How did these hay rolls congregate overnight? Were spread out yesterday

Paul. Gardener in Grave site rose garden.

Nice chat who told me that only Jan and Feb were really “winter”. He once was groundskeeper at a golf course.  Good guy. 

Multitude of geese..love the apples..careful where you walk.

Roosevelt Ride. Pick up folks who come up on train from NYC

Sorry if I sound like a broken record but it is true that each day is wondrous.

Started Sunday at the 10:00 service at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Hyde Park. The Roosevelt family were members and FDR served as Senior Warden.

Rev. Chuck Kramer..so welcoming to me..had once served in Morgsnton,NC.  Really inspiring vocalist.

 

 

 After church I had a nice chat with the Rev. and a young woman who is a history professor at Bard College. I hope to attend each Sunday. Very welcoming.  Felt right at home.

Next I visited the church cemetery where several Roosevelt family members are buried. James and Rebecca Roosevelt (James first wife) and Sara Roosevelt (James 2d wife) and mother of FDR. Several of their 6 children are buried there including. Anna, John, FDR Junior.

Then lunch at great cafe called Cranberry.

Then real estate shopping. 😊

Off To Hyde Park Railroad Depot. Saw Amtrak train roll by. This route was used  by Abraham Lincoln on his way to his Inaugration and also his funeral train.

Also used by FDR, George VI.

Dinsmore Golf Course. I did not play, but maybe later.

Afternoon walk down FOR driveway. It is 90 here today

Another fantastic and very full day which began with touring the temporary exhibit of Photos by Dorthea  Lange and Ansel Adams of Japanese Interment in thr FDR museum.The exhibit is very moving and recognizes a dark, unjust time in our history.   Took so many photos that can’t seem to load here. Will try Facebook. Posted to FB.

Then spent about 1 hour in the museum.  Most moving part to me is in the lower level where FDR’s actual desk and chair used at the White House are located. The arms of the chair are so worn due to his efforts to lift himself from the chair. Photos on FB.

Leaving the museum, one of the Rangers asked me if I wanted to ride up to Top Cottage and see how that tour goes. Oh yes, and rode the bus to TC. Posted to FB

I next drove to Rhinebeck and spent the afternoon with dear  friends, Dick and Linda. We visited and had mindful conversation about history, politics,  travel, what to do in Hudson Valley. Made plans to get together on Sept 29 to celebrate my birthday.

I took a huge number of photos today (over 400) that will not load to the blog. Kinda frustrating .

Finally was able to add some photos..she persisted

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

View of the FDR Library/Museum

A gorgeous day..sunny, breezy, cool. Did my driveway walk and gave a mini-tour to man working on a restoration project at Bellefield which has a formal walled garden designed by landscape gardener Beatrix Farrand. I plan to visit as the garden is adjacent to the Roosevelt property.

The Roosevelt property is still a working farm. Numerous fields of hay.

Met another volunteer,  Mary Ellen, and backed up her tour. She is a retired history professor at one of the SUNY universities.   Very much an FDR fan, so we hit it off right away. Very nice to meet her.

2d tour was with Victor, a ranger, who has been doing this since 1988. A treasure trove of knowledge.

Made my way out the secret exit and got a brighter shot of FDR’s office. It was in this office that he and Churchill made plans for the Manhattan Project, the development of the Atomic Bomb.

I talked to friends, Dick and Linda, who live in Rhinebeck and plan to see them this weekend.

Another tour with Victor. He is incredible in his knowledge, shows great  respect for this historic site, and tells me things I did not know. I could follow him on and on. And he is a gentleman, old school.

At the entrance to Springwood is the American flag and the Presidential flag used from 1916 to 1945.

Sitting outside on a bench, enjoying the sun, breeze and beauty of this site.

When I start looking at real estate,come bring me home!

 

 

 

 

 

Usual morning with walk across grounds and down and back on the driveway.  Met with the rangers at the Gingerbread house to get assignments.

I backed up 3 tours, all led by different rangers and each ranger does a somewhat different tour. But they are all excellent.

I was able to see part of the home that is not included on the tours, the South wing, added in 1915.

In this wing, FDR had a small office on the 1st floor.

 

 

Displaying  a Christmas card from George VI and Queen Mum, with photo of London during Blitzkrieg. Can’t read, but you get the historical significance

Also in this wing are some servant quarters. Single women servants had bedrooms in the house. Married couples and single men slept in other buildings on the grounds.

Chamber pot collection, etc.

Finally, the kitchen.

 

This afternoon I hiked on the  Roosevelt Trail. Well marked with tulip signs.

 

From the trail,  you see the back of Springwood and spring.

 

Then to Sara’s greenhouse.

 

The multitude of apples. I still do not know the type or how I might ask for a sappling??

 

Day ended at Hyde Park Brewery..a favorite..made friends  with Andrew who is a Dookie..but nice young man.

 

“I think it is a good time for a beer”.  FDR..🍺

Just another awesome day!!

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.

 

My morning routine is now to walk down driveway and back. Between walking across grounds to driveway and back is about 1 mile.

Trees that line the drive are a mix of new and old. FDR stated in his will that every tree that dies or is in jeopardy must be replaced  with a new tree. When he came home to vote, his stated that his occupation was tree farmer. A true conservationist.

 

Today was a backup for 2 tours. Looks like my schedule will be Tues and Wed afternoon to lead tours at Springwood. Other tours possibly.

They were short staffed today so I really was needed.

On the first tour, an elderly lady collapsed when we were in Springwood.  Paul, Ranger, called 911, and she was transported  to a hospital. That was upsetting and scary. Lots of elderly on these tours.

I spent tla lot of time on the 2d floor of Springwood where the bedrooms are located and explained who slept where. Churchill, George VI, Queen Mum all stayed there. There is the birth room, FDR’s boyhood room, a suite with FDR’s bedroom,  ER”s bedroom, and Sara’s bedroom…all with connecting  doors!

The beds, furniture, rugs, lamps, are all original and remain as they were on March 29, 1945 which was last time FDR was there.

Paul also took me on a tour of parts of the house not open to the public. Saw FDR’s office, secretary’s office, kitchen, servant’ s quarters, bedrooms of servants, chamber pots used in early days, etc. In FDR’s office is a Christmas card from King George and wife. They are standing in front of a building in London destroyed during the Blitzkrieg..wow

After, I the tours, I walked through stables to see stalls. One stall was New Deal.

Then on my way back I rambled through the Rose Garden. The sundial are where Fala (Scottie, 1952) and Chief (German Shepherd, 1933) are buried.

Another busy, beautiful day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A busy day, which started by my walk down the driveway from Springwood to the Albany Post Road, which is about 1/2 mile total.  FDR’s goal was to make that walk on crutches, but he was only able to go about half way down the drive.

Then I did my good deed for the day.  I flagged down a tram for an elderly lady who was sitting on the Library steps and need a ride to Springwood for the tour.

Met with Park Ranger Mike A, signed papers to make me “legal”.  I then went on Tour 1 of Springwood, the home of FDR.

Next, a quick trip to the Vanderbilt Estate to meet Mike and pick up my to pick up my volunteer outfit…cap, shirt, jacket.

In the afternoon, I met with Cliff L, National Archives, and we talked about setting up training to be a docent in the FDR Presidential Library and Museum.  I hope we can work out that schedule this week.

The afternoon ended with Tour 2 of Springwood. I am getting pretty good and understanding how to pace the tour. We start at the Visitor’s Center, then to the Library, then to the grave site, and finally to Springwood, and go inside and tour the 1st and 2nd floor.  The tour last 1 hour..

Tours end with this view across the Hudson Valley.

Tomorrow morning, I am to meet at 8:45 with the Park Rangers at the “Gingerbread” House where they are stationed and then go on another tour, maybe 2.  Interesting to see how different tour leaders proceed.  There is no script.  I hope to train this week, and be ready to go next week. They run 7-8 tours daily.