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Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum

Always Something New

Hyde Park, New York

The U.S. Presidential Library system originated in 1939 as a result of Franklin Roosevelt’s firmly held belief that Presidential papers, books, and memorabilia—being an important part of the nation’s heritage—should be made available to the general public. Since Roosevelt’s library opened in his birthplace of Hyde Park, New York, all successive presidents, through Bill Clinton (plus Herbert Hoover, whose library opened in 1962), have had libraries built in their honor, housing the archives of their years in the White House. A majority of the papers and artifacts of pre-Hoover presidents reside primarily in the Library of Congress, with some collections divided among various historical societies, personal collections, and other libraries.

Visitors to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum have access to an interesting variety of permanent exhibits, including The First Fifty Years Gallery, which outlines FDR’s early life and career and includes his baptismal gown, bassinet, early letters to his mother, and memorabilia from his school days. The library also houses artifacts from his Presidential years, including a replica of the secret Map Room, located in the White House during World War II, which served as the meeting place for President Roosevelt and his close advisors when conducting military strategy.

The library is also home to the Pare Lorentz Film Center, named for the documentary filmmaker of the Great Depression era. The center produces educational videos related to the Roosevelt presidency, which are made available to teachers for educational purposes.

In addition to the permanent exhibits, there is always something new at the Roosevelt Library. Upcoming events include the opening, in March, of a new exhibit entitled Action, and Action Now! FDR's First 100 Days, celebrating the 75th anniversary of the start of the New Deal. In May, the library will host the staging of a USO Show, featuring WWII-era comedy, music, and historic newsreels from the 1940s. Dancing in the aisles and the wearing of period dress is strongly encouraged.

For those unable to make the trek to Hyde Park, the library offers several fascinating online exhibits. Our Documents: A National Initiative on American History, Civics, and Service showcases twelve documents, from the national Our Documents program, that pertain specifically to FDR’s administration (all 100 milestone documents can be viewed at www.ourdocuments.gov.) These include full text versions of the National Labor Relations Act (Wagner Act) of 1935; the Social Security Act of 1935; and an image of the original draft, as well as an audio recording, of the Joint Address to Congress Leading to a Declaration of War Against Japan. Eleanor Roosevelt and the Tuskegee Airmen, another online exhibit, tells the story of Eleanor Roosevelt’s support of the Tuskegee Airmen, the first African American U.S. military flying unit, and presents images of the original correspondence between Mrs. Roosevelt and Cecil Peterson, a member of the Tuskegee Airmen.

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum is open 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily except Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year's Day. There is an admission charge for a combination ticket to the museum and home. For more information, visit the library’s website at www.fdrlibrary.marist.edu.