The Mecca for Democrats in the U.S.

As I approached the visitors center of the FDR Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY recently I met a couple of nice German guys from Hannover. I told them that for an American Democrat, a trip to Hyde Park to see FDR’s roots was equivalent to a journey to Mecca. They were astonished, but I assured them we American Democrats only have to make the pilgrimage once in a lifetime. On the other hand an American Republican’s visit to Hyde Park must be a living hell. What with all the Government programs that FDR initiated proudly being displayed on the walls and display cases, it’s a wonder they can hold their breath long enough to get out. The trip up the great Hudson River Valley with fall’s colors in their splendor and all the beautiful homes and mansions on display was worth it all by itself. The Hudson is just as I had envisioned it, wide with rocky walls and high rolling hills on both sides. Throw in the fall colors and it’s a trifecta. All the wealthy families from America’s early industrialization have large estates along the Hudson, including the Vanderbuilts. The Roosevelts’ wealth originated from a large sugar factory they started in NY city when they came over from Holland. Young FDR was an only child and quite spoiled being home schooled until he was sent off to a private English academy at age 14. Before he left he shot and stuffed over 300 different kinds of birds, many of which are still on display at the Museum of Natural History in NYC. One wall of the mansion has at least 40 from his collection. I think he was a better shot then I as a small boy. His mother dominated his life and could have been forecasted to be the mother in law from hell for poor Eleanor someday. FDR contacted polio as an adult when he attended a boy scout camp. Within 14 days he was unable to walk. He never admitted to anyone he couldn’t walk and made extraordinary preparations so that people visiting so no sign of his crippling illness. He used to drag himself down a beautiful tree lined path to the road daily to build strength. He was fanatical about recovering enough strength to regain walking. And I believe that if he hadn’t got I into politics he would have had the time to rebuild himself. So it was quite a sacrifice he made becoming a politician including assemblyman, governor and president. He married Eleanor who was a distant 5th cousin, Teddy Roosevelt Jr. was her uncle I believe. Anyway both Franklin and Eleanor came from much wealth so it is amazing to me that they became the champions for the less fortunate. I believe it was Eleanor who took the lead in this area and set the example for her husband. She continued her good works long after FDR died in 1945. The first hundred days of FDR’s first presidency set the bar far too high for any succeeding president to measure up to. And he just kept going from there to become one of the most influential presidents in our history. Our tour of the mansion which at only 17 rooms and 3 bathrooms was too small when FDR was born so additions were added making it 37 rooms with 9 bathrooms. Born at the mansion, the bed he was born in is still there. After marrying Eleanor they had 6 children, 5 boys, the oldest always moved to his father’s childhood bedroom. The Roosevelt property at Hyde Park was over 1600 acres and the National Park Service has saved 900 of those acres. They are full of first growth hardwoods and pines, all majestic and carefully planted in significant places. My favorite story about FDR was when the Queen and King of England visited Hyde Park. FDR was a collector and one wall of the house had a collection of political cartoons of England and the monarchy. FDR’s mother told him to take these down before the King and Queen arrived. Like a good son, he failed to do it, and the King of England upon entering the house, made a bee line to the wall with the cartoons where he studied them quietly leaving everyone in suspense. Finally he turned around and said, “You have some that I don’t have Mr. Roosevelt, wonder if I could have a few of those?”