Presidential Library #6

Yesterday we traveled in four states to reach our sixth presidential library.  I admit the states are pretty small!  We loved visiting Franklin D. Roosevelt's library which was started in 1939.  I can't say that I liked this more than the others we have visited because each is so unique to the person and perspective is different in each one.  For us the experience left us with a profound respect for our parents who experienced every aspect of this time in history.  We have felt the impact of their experiences as we grew up in their homes.  I can honestly say to our grandchildren that their great grandparents were amazing people and they provided a worthy legacies for each of them.  With the combination of technology and great record keeping we enjoyed many glimpses into such a difficult period of time in our history and it is safe to say they came out the victors.  May we have the courage to stand for principles as they were willing to stand for theirs.  Driving through Massachusetts, Connecticut, and New York was wonderful.  Even covered in snow it was beautiful and the familiar names of towns like Worcester (Woo-ster), Hartford, Poughkeepsie,  came to life for us as we saw their downtown areas so old and yet so alive with history.  We were a little more than excited when we came upon a Sonic Burger where we stopped and had a great lunch before heading to the library.  You have to understand that all we ever see is Burger King, Wendy's, and McDonalds!  It was a great day and has us excited to begin doing even more exploring before our remaining year ends.

This was the entrance to the library.  You have two choices.  You can tour their home and you can go into the Presidential Library.  We had planned to tour the house but spend so much time in the library that we missed the home tour.  

Franklin and Eleanor outside the visitors center.  

This is the actual library.  The building was started in 1939 and the actual library where he use to work is still there.  It was full of his books he used during that time as well as one of his wheelchairs that people very seldom saw.  The displays for the years he was in office were very well done and worth seeing.

This is their Hyde Park Home.  We had planned to go inside but missed the tour.  He said shortly before he died that he would love to go back to his home by the Hudson River.  He contributed much to the world and our country during his tenure as President.  Much for good and some that has not been as good but I believe he was made for that great and important time in history.