Author: donnacornick

One of my favorite places in the whole wide world is the overlook and bench (what happened to the other bench?) next to FDR’s home, Springwood. I walk the grounds each morning, early, when no one else except the ground keepers are around.

BTW. I have not yet figured out how to upload videos directly so for now, I will upload to YouTube and link..

Good flight on Frontier Airlines to Stewart International Airport. Flight was on time, smooth with no vacant seats. I guess that around 25% of folks wore masks, but I was thankful that the young woman sitting next to me was masked!

Enterprise upgraded my car rental to a really cool Mazda, CR-V.,,no extra cost. I really liked driving it. But getting on to and off of the FDR Memorial Bridge at Poughkeepsie was an adventure with lanes closed, merging with no warning. Some lanes were closed due to construction. It’s old; it needs repair.

It’s been 2 years, 8 months since I was last here. Thank you Covid. But today, the Covid level in Dutchess County was GREEN….Low….Yay. Looking forward to leading and backing up tours with the NPS and also serving as a Docent in the FDR Library/Museum.

What is it about this place that makes it so special. For me, it is a combination of the enormous historical significance and perhaps more important is the people that you encounter.

We share a bond of respect, love and reverence for this great President and celebrate all he accomplished for the betterment of this country.

So here are some reflections from my kindred spirits.

Paul S., Director of the FDR Presidential Library. “This is a sacred place and we are all so lucky to play a part.”

Fran, a National Park Service Ranger. who makes the daily tour schedule. “You are part of our family.”

Reverend Chuck of St. James Episcopal Church. His sermon reminded me to love God, love yourself, and only then can you love your neighbor.

Doris Mack, 97 years young and still volunteering at Val-Kill.

Paul Lenci, who was my first mentor two years ago. Here he is leading my first tour. Good friend who showed me around Vassar on this trip.

Susan, who is the Rose Garden Gardener who kindly took my photo beside the gravesite.

Len, another Docent, who shares my love for this special place.

John, an Irishman, now living in Long Island, and I had a long talk in the Rose Garden, early in the morning. Paying our respects, he said that his family thinks he is nuts for coming back here time after time, but said I just can’t explain it. I said that I got it and share that feeling. But…it is inexplicsble.

Two young women from Atlanta who hiked with me on a trail down to the Hudson.

A woman who was born in Holland and raised by her single mother. Her father was killed by the Nazi.

An older woman who lived in Berlin during WWII, and the horror. She was able to come to America in 1953.

A man in a motorized wheelchair who said he had contracted polio at the age of 2..

Chris, a Security Guard, who gave me the “handle” D-Train, two years ago and still says, “D-Train coming into the depot.”

Cliff L, Public Programs Director at FDR, a hug, and “you are back for a 3d year.”

And many others…

So sad to leave; but plan to return next year, God-willing ...

Peace. (Field of Roses)

There is so much to see here. The first year I came, I stayed over 5 hours. My dear friend, Windy, was very patient.

So let me share some highlights..a drop in the bucket..

For me the most touching item in the permanent collection is FDR’s chair that he used in the White House. The worn, threadbare arms.

The desk from the White House

And collection of items on the Presidential desk.

I love these personal items.

A Scottish and West Highland Terrier.

“Snooty Love Dogs”

Under the “Back” is FDR cigarette case for his Camels

The pigs..a favorite

The funeral video and Navy Hymn.

The D-Day Prayer

The Presidential Study. Several Fireside Chats were delivered from this study.

Note the attached ashtray. FDR’s wheelchair was a kitchen chair, legs removed, with bicycle wheels

Franklin Roosevelt Library Dedication, June 30, 1941

Speech to Congress, Dec. 8, 1941

Family Dutch Bible used in all 4 Inaugurations

Car with hand controls

Fedor

Fala

Polio and Disability

Visit of King George VI, June 1939

Campaign and 1932 Inauguration

Statue in entry, made before polio. Notice that there are no legs

FDR’s bird collection. Many stuffed by him.

Dining room. FDR’s chair on left.

Living Room/Library. Note empty shelves. Books were damaged by mold/mildew and are being repaired.

FDR’s collection of anti-British cartoons.

King George VI was amused.

FDR used this lift to pull himself up to the 2nd and 3rd floors. He did not want an electric elevator due to his great fear of being trapped in a fire. A fear he developed even before polio..

Obviously he developed tremendous upper body strength.

Boyhood Bedroom

Bedroom used by Churchill and King George VI

Bathroom

Sara’s bedroom

Eleanor’s bedroom

FDR’s closet..Cape worn at Yalta and fedora

FDR’s bedroom

Beside the bed is a phone with direct line to the White House

FDR at 5

What you won’t see on regular tour.

FDR’s very small office in Springwood where he and Churchill discussed the Atomic Bomb.Books in that office.Card from King George showing bomb ruins in LondonKitchen area

My day began with a trip to Val-Kill to see Mrs. Doris Mack, who is 97 years young and still greeting visitors. As a young woman, she knew Mrs. Roosevelt. She is a treasure.

Yes, there is more to do here than Roosevelt?? REALLY??

So on a beautiful, sunny, warm day, headed to Poughkeepsie with dear friend, Paul L.We had lunch ( chowder, calamari, wings) at the Icehouse Restaurant. We sat outside along the Hudson.

After lunch, we went to Vassar, walked the grounds and toured. A beautiful campus.

Vassar College Chapel

Vassar Art Center–Highlights

A morning surprise. Fire trucks at Springwood. Apparently an alarm sounded, but no problems.

Love how the sunlight shines on the stone.

100 school kids come to the museum on a Field Trip.

Lunch in Rhinebeck with Dick and Linda at a bistro that once was a Baptist church. Excellent!

Tonight at the Visitors Center, a presentation by

Diane Miller, National Program Manager, National Underground Railroad Network to Freedom Program (NTF)

Before the talk, I had a funny conversation with Paul Sparrow, Director of the Library.

I ran into Paul, who I do seem to run into a lot, and he said laughingly something like, “You seem to be everywhere..are you stalking me?”..I said. Of course…ha-ha

We chatted on and i told him that I was disappointed that I won’t be here on Nov 4 when they will be showing the documentary on Frances Perkins. And then proceeded to tell him about Frances Perkins outfit for my book group and said I would send a photo. And I did… All good for a laugh.

Each morning, I have a set route that I walk across the grounds. This is my daily path. Rather than post photos each day, thought I would do videos instead.

In the morning, there is a stillness, so peaceful, serene, birds chirping.

My favorite time of the day.

Turn the sound up to hear the birds.

Down the Driveway

By Springwood

To the benches

By the Library

To The Gravesite in the Rose Garden

My day began with my walk and I was fortunate to have a Park Ranger take this photo beside FDR’s grave.

I then went to a talk given by Bret Baier of Fox News..I was hesitant but it was fine. He talked about his new book, Three Days at the Brink. The book focuses on the meeting between Roosevelt, Churchill, and Stalin at Tehran. I did not learn anything new, but bought a copy and had it signed. Baier told me that he had once lived in Raleigh and worked at WRAL.

Paul Sparrow, Library Director, introduced Baier.

Then I went to Val-Kill to tour Eleanor’s house. Ducks on the pond at Val-Kill (kill is the Dutch word for stream)

Closing the swimming pool..once used by King George VI.

Inside ER’s house.

Bedroom

Sleeping porch

Dining Room

Living Room. Famous meeting here with JFK in 1960.

Then I did Eleanor’s Loop..and I found my old hiking stick that I had carefully hidden 2 years ago. I did not do the trail to Top Cottage. I did that 2 years ago and once was enough as it is Very steep near the top

This was the “road” from Val-Kill to Top Cottage and was how FDR got to TC.

Left hand on brake/clutch; right hand on accelerator…no hands on the wheel? He was a pretty wild driver.

Then back to the main Historic site and another hike, down behind Springwood in search of a view of the Hudson. I hiked with two young women from Atlanta.

Yes, my hiking pals, we got lost and almost ended up on the 7 mile trail to Vanderbilt.

Sound familiar?😎

FDR loved to drive through these woods and one security station remains.

Finally a view of the Hudson and the Roosevelt Bridge in Poughkeepsie.

View of the back of Springwood from the meadow.

It was a glorious day!