10 Fun Facts About Springwood, the Home of President Franklin D. Roosevelt
Springwood is the home of 32nd U.S. President
Franklin D. Roosevelt. Today it is a designated landmark in Hyde Park,
New York. Also known as Springwood Estate, the property is a part of
the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site which is open
to visitors year-round. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library
and Museum is adjacent to the home and gardens. The U.S. National Park
Service (NPS) administers and runs the property.
Not familiar with Springwood? Here are 10 fun facts about this property located in New York’s beautiful Hudson River Valley.
1. Springwood was built in 1826 and the Roosevelt family bought the property in 1867. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born at the estate on January 30, 1882. The family had lived in the Hyde Park area since 1818, but had ties to the Hudson Valley region dating back to the 17th century.
2. When FDR’s father, James, purchased Springwood, it was a large farmhouse. Over the decades, James (he passed away in 1900), his wife Sara and Franklin expanded the home to become the grand Federal style house visitors see today. Sara Delano Roosevelt managed the most extensive renovation, and this is what visitors see today.
3. According to the NPS, Springwood is the only place in the United States where a President was born, stayed connected to his entire life and was buried.
4. The mansion hasn’t really been changed since President Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. The furnishings, antiques, books, Persian rugs, paintings and other possessions remain as they were during Roosevelt's time for the public to see. For instance, visitors can see the bed where FDR was born, the room he used as an adult and all the things that reflected his life. (When I visited in July 2014, photo taking inside of the mansion was allowed, but check on your arrival about the current policy. If memory serves, flash photography was not allowed, but I am not positive about this).
5. Inside the home visitors can also see Roosevelt’s boyhood stuffed bird collection which is still intact and prominently placed.
6. Some of the notable visitors who stayed at the estate during FDR’s years included King George IV, Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill.
7. The library at Springwood is the only presidential library used by a sitting president. Roosevelt's library was opened in 1941 (source: brochure picked up during my visit).
8. President Roosevelt's beloved pet, a Scottish Terrier named Fala, is buried alongside him and Eleanor at Springwood’s garden. Fala was very much loved by FDR, who came along to the White House. During a visit to Springwood, visitors learn much about Fala as he was an important part of FDR's life.
9. Franklin D. Roosevelt never owned his beloved Springwood. His father James left the house to his mother Sara. FDR asked his mother to deed the property to the government so the property would go to the American people. One condition set upon this designation was that the family be allowed to use the home after his death. On Nov. 21, 1945, the home and property was transferred to the Department of the Interior after the family relinquished their rights.
10. Springwood was dedicated as a national historic site in 1946. Eleanor Roosevelt said at the time:
Bonus Fun Fact: Even while living in Washington D.C. during his 13 year-long presidency, President Roosevelt made almost 200 trips to Springwood.
In addition to the guided tour of the house, self-guided tour of the gardens and presidential library, visitors can also see Val-Kill Cottage, the place where Eleanor Roosevelt spent so much of her time for both work and relaxation. Today it stands as a tribute to her. The two properties are close to one another. From what I understand there is a path that can be walked, but visitors can also drive and park at Val-Kill (a flyer I picked up said there is a 1.8 mile trail connecting the two properties).
We drove over to Val-Kill and parked our car. We were limited on time and the tour we had hoped to go on was full for that time slot and we didn't have time to wait for the next one, so we missed seeing the inside of the cottage. However, we did spent some time walking the grounds.
Both sites are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the property closing on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Hyde Park is located approximately 90 miles north of New York City and 70 miles south of Albany. We really enjoyed our tour of Springwood, the NPS guide was so knowledgeable.
Sources:
Personal experience during a visit
https://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/82springwood/82springwood.htm
http://www.lohud.com/story/travel/day-trips/2014/03/21/hyde-park-fdr-estate-sunday-drive/6690607/
 |
| Exterior view of the front of Springwood. (My photo does not capture it, but there is another wing to the left that matches the one on the right). |
Not familiar with Springwood? Here are 10 fun facts about this property located in New York’s beautiful Hudson River Valley.
10 Fun Facts About Springwood
1. Springwood was built in 1826 and the Roosevelt family bought the property in 1867. Franklin Delano Roosevelt was born at the estate on January 30, 1882. The family had lived in the Hyde Park area since 1818, but had ties to the Hudson Valley region dating back to the 17th century.
2. When FDR’s father, James, purchased Springwood, it was a large farmhouse. Over the decades, James (he passed away in 1900), his wife Sara and Franklin expanded the home to become the grand Federal style house visitors see today. Sara Delano Roosevelt managed the most extensive renovation, and this is what visitors see today.
 |
| This is a view of the south side wing of FDR's home. |
3. According to the NPS, Springwood is the only place in the United States where a President was born, stayed connected to his entire life and was buried.
4. The mansion hasn’t really been changed since President Roosevelt died on April 12, 1945. The furnishings, antiques, books, Persian rugs, paintings and other possessions remain as they were during Roosevelt's time for the public to see. For instance, visitors can see the bed where FDR was born, the room he used as an adult and all the things that reflected his life. (When I visited in July 2014, photo taking inside of the mansion was allowed, but check on your arrival about the current policy. If memory serves, flash photography was not allowed, but I am not positive about this).
 |
| The room and bed where the future President was born. Many, if not all, of the rooms at Springwood have signs that share history and information about each room. |
5. Inside the home visitors can also see Roosevelt’s boyhood stuffed bird collection which is still intact and prominently placed.
6. Some of the notable visitors who stayed at the estate during FDR’s years included King George IV, Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill.
 |
| This is the library located inside of the mansion. It is a limited view of this large room as it only shows a section of one wall. Due to lighting, I had a difficult time capturing the entire room. |
7. The library at Springwood is the only presidential library used by a sitting president. Roosevelt's library was opened in 1941 (source: brochure picked up during my visit).
8. President Roosevelt's beloved pet, a Scottish Terrier named Fala, is buried alongside him and Eleanor at Springwood’s garden. Fala was very much loved by FDR, who came along to the White House. During a visit to Springwood, visitors learn much about Fala as he was an important part of FDR's life.
9. Franklin D. Roosevelt never owned his beloved Springwood. His father James left the house to his mother Sara. FDR asked his mother to deed the property to the government so the property would go to the American people. One condition set upon this designation was that the family be allowed to use the home after his death. On Nov. 21, 1945, the home and property was transferred to the Department of the Interior after the family relinquished their rights.
10. Springwood was dedicated as a national historic site in 1946. Eleanor Roosevelt said at the time:
“Life here had always a healing quality for him...It is his life and his character and his personality which will live with us and which will endure and be imparted to those who come to see the surroundings in which he grew to maturity."
Bonus Fun Fact: Even while living in Washington D.C. during his 13 year-long presidency, President Roosevelt made almost 200 trips to Springwood.
 |
| One section of the expansive gardens located at Springwood. There is also a stable and greenhouse located nearby. The final resting place of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Eleanor Roosevelt and Fala are located in this garden. |
In addition to the guided tour of the house, self-guided tour of the gardens and presidential library, visitors can also see Val-Kill Cottage, the place where Eleanor Roosevelt spent so much of her time for both work and relaxation. Today it stands as a tribute to her. The two properties are close to one another. From what I understand there is a path that can be walked, but visitors can also drive and park at Val-Kill (a flyer I picked up said there is a 1.8 mile trail connecting the two properties).
We drove over to Val-Kill and parked our car. We were limited on time and the tour we had hoped to go on was full for that time slot and we didn't have time to wait for the next one, so we missed seeing the inside of the cottage. However, we did spent some time walking the grounds.
 |
| Approaching Val-Kill from the parking lot. The property is lovely and, in this photo, you can catch a glimpse of the cottage. A lot of recreational time was spent here, but Eleanor also used this space for all of the work she was doing in efforts to help society. |
Both sites are open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., with the exception of the property closing on Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Year's Day. Hyde Park is located approximately 90 miles north of New York City and 70 miles south of Albany. We really enjoyed our tour of Springwood, the NPS guide was so knowledgeable.
Sources:
Personal experience during a visit
https://www.nps.gov/nr/twhp/wwwlps/lessons/82springwood/82springwood.htm
http://www.lohud.com/story/travel/day-trips/2014/03/21/hyde-park-fdr-estate-sunday-drive/6690607/
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