A Visit to Springwood

The birthplace and home of Franklin Roosevelt

Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt are buried on the property.

After arriving in the Hudson Valley, we set out to visit one of the most famous residences of an American President. Springwood was the birthplace and long-time home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, our 32nd President, and is located high on a bluff in Hyde Park, NY, with stunning views of the Hudson River below. The 300-acre site is run by  the National Park Service and includes the FDR Presidential Library, which FDR established as the first of its kind in 1943. FDR's father purchased the land in 1866 and built the original house shortly after. In 1915, FDR and his mother, Sara, undertook a large-scale enlargement and remodeling that brought the house to its current state. One of the most interesting features of the house is the manually operated elevator that FDR used to move between the first and second floors. After he was paralyzed by polio in 1921, he was unable to walk, but retained full use of his upper body. A pulley system in the elevator allowed him to wheel his chair into the elevator and raise or lower himself between floors using his arms. FDR and his wife, Eleanor, were also dog lovers -- their two favorites are buried next to them on the grounds.

Beloved dogs Chief and Fala are buried next to the Roosevelts