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August 14, 2019

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Here in Hyde Park, New York, there is a very important house worth taking a tour if you find yourself in the area. As is the case with most historic residences and mansions, they are not doggie friendly OR stroller friendly! Mummy and Daddy went to see Springwood House, which was the lifelong home of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt and they said not only was it very interesting, but they learned quite a bit about our 32nd President.

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1. Built in 1826, SPRINGWOOD HOUSE sits on 700 acres and remains almost exactly as it was at the time of President Roosevelt’s death in 1945. Roosevelt’s home was actually owned by his mother Sara, and she lived there with him and his family until her death in 1941. Franklin and Eleanor married in 1905 but she never really liked it there at Springwood House, and regarded it  as the domain of her mother-in-law. He contracted polio in 1921 at the age of 39 and was paralyzed from the waist down. He always held out hope for a cure but was never able to walk again unaided. When Franklin wanted to enlarge the home to accommodate his growing family, he had to ask permission of his mother! Being her only child, of course she agreed-but still-he couldn’t do anything without her permission because the house belonged to her!!! VERY INTERESTING ?? Eleanor and Franklin built “Val-Kill” in 1926, as a retreat for Eleanor, in the eastern section of the Roosevelt estate, and she would remain there and pursue her interests in world peace and human rights after the President’s death.

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2. This was called “The Chintz Room” and was used by Franklin and Eleanor until the south wing was added in 1915. It was later used as a guest room. Queen Elizabeth was one of many celebrated guests to use this room.

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3. Sara Delano Roosevelt called this room “The Snuggery” and had her breakfast served here every morning, then gave the orders for the day to the servants. She was often found at her desk paying bills, keeping the estate accounts and corresponding with friends. Most of the furniture in this room has been in the house since the turn of the 19th century.

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4. This was the huge living room that had stairs leading down to this level. A fold-up ramp was made to accommodate Franklin’s wheelchair, but as soon as he entered the room, he would be moved into a regular chair and the ramp would be folded up and stored out of sight!!! By looking at the house, you  would NEVER KNOW that a handicapped person lived here. His bedroom was on the second floor and he used a large luggage lift to HAND PULL his own weight up to the second floor several times a day!!! FDR went to great lengths to live as normal a life as possible and keep his disability from the public. Many people never even knew that he could not walk until AFTER HIS DEATH! When reporters came to the house for interviews, he would be placed in a chair in this room, his legs would be crossed for him by an aide, his shoes would be scuffed up and grass and sand would be would be scattered around the cuff of his pants to make it look as if he had been walking around his property!!! He would sit… casually posed… until the reporter left, and then his aide would reposition him to his liking. All photographs were shown of him professionally posed in seated positions or standing… but he was always standing next to 2-3 people so you never really noticed that the people were actually holding him up! No reporters were allowed to photograph him getting in or out of his car… it was a “gentleman’s agreement!” LOLOLOLOLOL THIS WOULD NEVER HAPPEN NOW!!!! If by some chance a photograph WAS TAKEN… FDR’s aides would approach the photographer and demand his film! ???

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5. This was the actual bedroom and THE BED where FDR was born on Monday, January 30, 1882. He is said to have weighed “10 pounds… without clothes.” The birth was very difficult and almost killed Sara. Franklin was her only child and the two of them were very close their entire lives.

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6. This was FDR’s bedroom and he chose this location in the new wing because of the sweeping views of the Hudson River and the mountains. He and Eleanor shared the room until his attack of infantile paralysis. The telephone on the wall was a secretly coded telephone with a direct line to the White House during WWII.

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7. FDR and Eleanor are both buried here at Springwood House in the Rose Garden. The President died from a stroke at Warm Springs, Georgia on April 12, 1945. President Roosevelt was our only President to be elected to 4 terms before it was changed to a 2-term maximum. While in office he established many programs that helped to improve the lives of Americans, like: Social Security, the Federal Deposit and Insurance Corporation, the Securities and Exchange Commission, the establishment of minimum wage and unemployment insurance.

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Now here is something interesting that our parents did not know. When at a summer resort at the age of 39, FDR had been swimming and hiking and enjoying the outdoors. He began to feel tired and develop muscle aches over several days… but he thought that he had just over-done things. He walked upstairs one day and found himself paralyzed the next morning… never to walk again. As it turned out, 5 other boy scouts who were also on vacation that week, at the same location, also developed polio!!!

FDR refused to just succumb to the disease and always felt that he would walk again. He did develop a shuffling, twisting-type movement that could be accomplished with help from supporters at his side, but he never walked alone again.

He heard about a clinic in Warm Springs, Georgia that had warm, healing waters that were supposed to be therapeutic… so he headed down to the clinic. Once he got there he was SHOCKED at the deplorable condition of the establishment, but saw there were so many people from all socio-economic levels there who were searching for a miracle cure… so he spent 3/4 of his trust fund and BOUGHT THE PLACE! He immediately began refurbishing it into a state of the art facility. There were donation boxes set up at the spa asking for “dimes,” and people from far and wide would bring their “dimes” to deposit in these donation boxes to help pay for therapies for those unable to pay. People started calling this parade of people bringing in their dimes as “the march of dimes” and that is how THE MARCH OF DIMES got started! But to take it one step further, when the USA redesigned the “dime,” they replaced the Liberty Head face with the face of Franklin Delano Roosevelt… who to this day remains as the face on the dime because of his work to help with polio!!! WOW… just WOW! ???❤️❤️❤️❤️

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NOTE: Please check our post from yesterday because the email notifications are not working properly and we have posted it twice without results. Just scroll back through previous posts to check for any you might have missed.

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Millie LaRue

Author Millie LaRue

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Bobbie
Bobbie
4 years ago

Wow – Very Interesting – Thanks for sharing! 🙂

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Bobbie

It was a lovely house and our parents learned a lot! ?

Debra
Debra
4 years ago

Wow Very interesting! I didn’t get yesterdays post so I will look back. Thank you!

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Debra

It was a beautiful house full of interesting history! ?❤️?

Sharon Hook
Sharon Hook
4 years ago

Good Morning,
Well that adventure sure sounds interesting. So Millie you and your sisters had a down day which probavly was not all that bad. You could all rest for your adventure today. Have fun and be safe.

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Sharon Hook

Our parents really enjoyed their visit but they came to get us after the tour and we all went for a drive thru the pretty mountains in the area. This is a beautiful part of New York!! ??❤️

Jeanie Drane
Jeanie Drane
4 years ago

Oh my ,wowza that is so interesting,,i sure didnt know any history behind him. Wow what a mansion,beautiful furniture, i dire never knew he was parslized this is so interresting,to develpe polio from swimming and a few others in the same waters, its on fb now do not let pets swim in blue ponds or lakes ,its soethibg in thr eater killing them. Wonder if they woukd have got into something in the water, ?im houng to read ur post again its so interesting, and her mother in law running ,the place, im shocked at his being paralized and the… Read more »

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Jeanie Drane

Actually he DID have a furbaby! A very famous black scottie named Fala!!!! Our parents bought us a little stuffie “Fala” from the gift shop!!!

Betty White
Betty White
4 years ago

Very interesting as I did not know a lot of this

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Betty White

They learned a lot of history here!!! FDR was a good President and did lots of great things for our country! ???

Jeanie Drane
Jeanie Drane
4 years ago

That place of healing waters is about 6 hrs from me i heard about it for many yrs. People from sll states go tjere,for the healing of the waters ,,they say its mskes them feel better i will read up on it ,but that is so strange about how he got polio fron that lake and 5 kids did something could have been in that water,guess we will never know but i just read yhe other day a beautiful. Furbaby was swimming with his owner the photo was a beautiful blue pond. The vet saidcnot let fur babys in treatef… Read more »

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Jeanie Drane

It was a beautiful house and so full of history! Everything was just as he left it when he died… so well preserved! ?❤️?

Jeanie Drane
Jeanie Drane
4 years ago

I will never look at the dime ever agsin without thinking about all of this, thank u im blowed away,thinking about all of this,prayers and love to all??????????????????????????????????????????????????????

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Jeanie Drane

I know!!! We had no idea either!!!! ?

Mary Hamilton
Mary Hamilton
4 years ago

Wow! I’ve heard many stories about FDR. He did a lot and overcame a lot as well. I had never heard about the other boys that got paralyzed as well! Thank you for sharing this!!!

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Mary Hamilton

I know… our parents learned about it on the tour!!! ?

Susan Thomas
Susan Thomas
4 years ago

That is very interesting about the March of Dimes I didn’t know that either! I didn’t know he had polio and was paralyzed until recent years they really hid that information well and you’re right that wouldn’t be even possible in today’s society where everyone takes photos of everything! LOL That flower room is a little busy for me LOL I don’t think I would be able to fall asleep in there! LOL

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Susan Thomas

The tour guide shared sooo many interesting stories!!!! It was such a great tour! ?❤️?

Laurie Heikoff
Laurie Heikoff
4 years ago

Wow, what a beautiful house, and amazing history! What courage FDR had! Thank you for sharing this, little Millie!! ?

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Laurie Heikoff

It was soooo interesting. I hope you get a chance to visit there one day. ??

Bethe Austin
Bethe Austin
4 years ago

Wow! Love !

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Bethe Austin

It was fascinating! FDR was a really good President! ??

Bethe Austin
Bethe Austin
4 years ago

Knew quite a bit from the PBS Documentary, but what fun to hear it from your visit and see the Photos! xx

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Bethe Austin

Ohhhh we will have to find that on PBS! ?

Kimberly Mccain
Kimberly Mccain
4 years ago

That was so interesting, I didn’t know about the march of dimes and alot of his history..

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago

They really enjoyed the tour there and learned so much!

Christine Flaherty
Christine Flaherty
4 years ago

So very interesting!!! I’ll look at the lowly dime differently from now on

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago

I know! They said the same thing!

Sherri Davis
Sherri Davis
4 years ago

I really enjoyed your post today.. I love history and learning more about the Roosevelt’s was great. The house is beautiful on the outside. I am sure it was equally beautiful on the inside. I always heard about President Roosevelt going to Warm Springs but I never knew he put his own money into the facility! Thank u so much for all your details of your visits to the different places! I am so enjoying your trip!

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Sherri Davis

Our parents learned so much on this tour and loved the house! ?❤️?

Patsy Smith
Patsy Smith
4 years ago

Such an interesting story. Thank you for sharing. That house is beautiful. Safe travels for you all.

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Patsy Smith

Thank you… it was a very interesting tour and a beautiful house. ❤️

Lynn Davis
Lynn Davis
4 years ago

Wow. So interesting! Thanks for sharing! ❤

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Lynn Davis

You are very welcome. I hope you get to see it one day. ?❤️?

Amelia Rogers
4 years ago

I always enjoy hearing from you and your babies but I still miss those videos so much they made me smile ♥️?♥️

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Amelia Rogers

We will try to add a video to our posts every now and then… you will find the links in BLUE at the bottom of our posts when we have added one. I think we have done that on a few on this trip.

Amelia Rogers
4 years ago

How do I get my picture to show up on here

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Amelia Rogers

Someone said you need to edit it on your GOOGLE account

Bobbie Frye
Bobbie Frye
4 years ago

This was very interesting Millie, I really enjoyed all the pictures too!! Thank you for sharing!

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Bobbie Frye

Thank you… my parents loved this tour! ?❤️?

Shirley Skulimowski
4 years ago

I am learning a lot of history from all of your posts. Really interesting and thank you ?

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago

I know! We are too!!!! ?

Carol Copeland
Carol Copeland
4 years ago

Cool history. I never knew he started the March of Dimes. My father’s father was a chiropractor massage therapist who used to treat him. There are letters in the family scrapbook from Elinor thanking him for coming. I only saw the scrapbook once but it was very cool seeing letters on White House stationery.

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Carol Copeland

WOW!!!! That is so interesting about your dad!!! ?❤️?

Dawn Dupuis
Dawn Dupuis
4 years ago

I always wanted to go there. What a lovely place. FDR was one amazing President! Thank you for sharing this.

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Dawn Dupuis

Ohhhh I hope you get to See it one day!

Susan Nicol
4 years ago

Millie
Sounds like mommy and daddy had a wonderful time touring the magnificent home .
Boy oh boy Millie your mom doesn’t miss a thing.
Everyone that reads the daily posts gets to see the country through your travels.
I look forward everyday to learning more about our country.
Looks you’re heading back home.
Safe travels
Oliver and mommy

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Susan Nicol

They had a great time and learned so much! ?❤️?

Marilyn Williams
Marilyn Williams
4 years ago

Did not know that about the March of Dimes. I remember the name but didn’t know the origin. That area of NY is beautiful. Enjoy your stay.

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago

It is really gorgeous up here and the tour was very interesting!

Dianna Reynolds
4 years ago

WOW A GREAT LETTER ON THIS MANSION, AND THE PRESIDENT. AND HIS WIFE. THE PLACE IS BEAUTIFUL, AND THEY LIVED VERY WELL. SO VERY PRETTY.
IT MUST BE OVER WHELMING TO GRASP SO MUCH. SO MUCH TO TAKE IN.
SO APPRECIATE YOU SHARING.
HOPE YOU ALL ARE WELL, AND ENJOYING A BUNCH AS I SO ENJOY READING YOUR LETTERS.
TAKE CARE.

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago

Thank you… I hope that one day you can see it for yourself because it was very pretty. Well… my parents said it was. ?❤️?

Jill Stroh
Jill Stroh
4 years ago

Dear Sweet Millie,

I thought I knew a lot about FDR–my mother’s favorite president, but thanks to your Mummy and Daddy, and your excellent journaling skills, I have learned even more! This is a place I DO want to visit someday soon. Thank you Millie!

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Jill Stroh

Ohhh I hope that you can go there because the tour guides tell you so much extra stuff!!! ?❤️?

Sharon Terrel
Sharon Terrel
4 years ago

WOW… thanks for a great history lesson. How strange 6 Boy Scouts got polio that same weekend.

Karen Cummings
Karen Cummings
4 years ago

Fantastic Millie! So much I didn’t know. Thank you Millie for providing such educational information. You sure are a real smart Yorkie. ❤️

Joan Evans
Joan Evans
4 years ago

Wow really interesting. Loving your trip. ?

Sheila Allen
4 years ago

Thank you for sharing your visit to FDRs house. So interesting. Loving to share your vacation. Also just wanted to let you know I got both of the posts for Burger King

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Sheila Allen

I am so glad you are enjoying our posts. Thanks for letting us know you got the others… hardly anyone else got that one ? We spend so much time writing these posts so it is disappointing when no one sees them. Some of them can take as long as TWO HOURS to write with all of the research that is put into them. ? and then selecting the photos.

Susan Calvert
Susan Calvert
4 years ago

Thank you so very much for the time and effort you put into each post. History is so much more interesting now, reading your posts, than it was in high school! Franklin Delano Roosevelt was quite man and role model.

Sandy McDonald
Sandy McDonald
4 years ago

How interesting about the “March of Dimes”. I had no idea…I never thought of it. What a magnificent visit. I am sure had he been alive, he would have welcomed all of the Yorkies with open arms.

millie larue
millie larue
4 years ago
Reply to  Sandy McDonald

It was a great tour! He had a little black scottie dog named Fala that he LOVED so we know he was a doggie lover!!! ?❤️?

SNUGGLES ANNE ENGEL
SNUGGLES ANNE ENGEL
4 years ago

THANK YOU FOR ALL THE GREAT POSTS. I LOVE ARMCHAIR TRAVEL.

Monica Karroum
Monica Karroum
4 years ago

I’m learning a LOT with your trip! 😉 Kissessss

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