A Walk for All Seasons

While FDR proclaimed the Tulip Tree his favorite tree, he nevertheless made special journeys to Hyde Park in spring when he learned that the dogwood was in bloom.

• While FDR proclaimed the Tulip Tree his favorite tree, he nevertheless made special journeys to Hyde Park in spring when he learned that the dogwood was in bloom.

Bellefield

Bellefield embodies the distinctive characteristics of Colonial Revival country-house architecture in the Hudson Valley dating to a renovation and expansion designed by the influential architectural firm McKim, Mead & White.

• A two story yellow stucco house trimmed in white, with raised brick stone terrace with a one story doric portico.

Burial Site of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt

FDR chose the location of his final resting place. It reflects his intense connection to the place of his birth and formative years, the launching point of his rise to public prominence, his refuge from the serious demands of the world, and the place where he found the resources to face head on the challenges first of polio, then of executive office in a time of dire national crisis.

• A garden surrounded by a tall hemlock hedge. At center is a green lawn, surrounded by beds of roses and peonies. A simple, large block of white marble marks the location of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's graves.

Escaping the Mob

Lamenting his lack of private time on his trips from Washington to Hyde Park, FDR began talking about “building a small place to go to escape the mob.”

• Lamenting his lack of private time on his trips from Washington to Hyde Park, FDR began talking about “building a small place to go to escape the mob.”

FDR's Favorite Tree

The tulip poplar, often identified by FDR as his favorite tree, is a tall member of the magnolia family--one of the tallest North American hardwood trees.

• The tulip poplar, often identified by FDR as his favorite tree, is a tall member of the magnolia family--one of the tallest North American hardwood trees.

Fala - Dogs of the NPS

Fala, Franklin D. Roosevelt’s beloved Scottish Terrier, was a constant companion to the President, traveling with him, charming the public, and even inspiring a famous speech. After FDR’s death, Fala lived with Eleanor Roosevelt until his own passing, earning a place near his master’s grave.

For Love of the Land

The reminiscences of Daisy Suckley, cousin and close companion of FDR, remind us of a man who understood, valued, and preserved nature, sharing its restorative benefits with close friends, his Hyde Park community, and the entire nation.

• The reminiscences of Daisy Suckley, cousin and close companion of FDR, remind us of a man who understood, valued, and preserved nature, sharing its restorative benefits with close friends, his Hyde Park community, and the entire nation.

Forestry and FDR

The President’s love of trees included his appreciation for their commercial potential.

• The President’s love of trees included his appreciation for their commercial potential.

Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum

Franklin D. Roosevelt's plan for the first presidential library set a precedent that all future chief executives have followed since. FDR viewed the library as a solution to two problems—how to simultaneously preserve and provide public access to the records of his presidency. His was an attitude of “open government,” believing that the people of the United States were entitled to a better look at how their government was working.

• A stone building surrounding an open, central courtyard.

From Farm to Forest

During his frequent visits to Hyde Park, FDR would seek out Moses Smith to discuss politics. Smith became the President’s “everyman” and sounding board: If Smith understood, so would the American public.

• During his frequent visits to Hyde Park, FDR would seek out Moses Smith to discuss politics. Smith became the President’s “everyman” and sounding board: If Smith understood, so would the American public.

Maritje Kill Bridge

The Maritje Kill bridge was really the main conduit between the big house and Val Kill, and later on Top Cottage.

• The Maritje Kill bridge was really the main conduit between the big house and Val Kill, and later on Top Cottage.

Multiple Homes, Multiple Purposes

Top Cottage was one of several homes used by the Roosevelts, yet it was never intended to serve as a full-time residence. It would be a place where he could experience solitude, or invite select companions.

• Top Cottage was one of several homes used by the Roosevelts, yet it was never intended to serve as a full-time residence. It would be a place where he could experience solitude, or invite select companions.

Pursuing the President

Whenever the President sought solitude, he would retreat to his Hyde Park woods, the car connecting him to the trees he loved.

• Whenever the President sought solitude, he would retreat to his Hyde Park woods, the car connecting him to the trees he loved.

Road to Rogers

Known as the Road to Rogers, this road led to the former estate of Colonel Archibald Rogers, friend, neighbor, and forestry mentor to FDR. The Roosevelts’ property shared a long boundary with the Rogers estate, and Rogers’ children were FDR’s boyhood playmates.

• Known as the Road to Rogers, this road led to the former estate of Colonel Archibald Rogers, friend, neighbor, and forestry mentor to FDR. The Roosevelts’ property shared a long boundary with the Rogers estate, and Rogers’ children were FDR’s boyhood playmates.

Salamander Crossing

If you come out here the first rainy night of March, you might get a chance to witness the salamander migration.

• If you come out here the first rainy night of March, you might get a chance to witness the salamander migration.

Springwood

Home to the 32nd and longest-serving president of the United States, Springwood reflects much of Franklin D. Roosevelt's personality and values. FDR returned to Springwood often, drawing on his roots here to renew his spirit during times of personal and political crisis. It was also home to one of our nation's most famous disabled persons.

• Springwood, the home of Franklin Roosevelt, is a Georgian style building, characterized by order and formality. This style was popular in the eighteenth century and experienced a resurgence during the American Colonial Revival period in the early years of the nineteenth century, when the Roosevelt family made these modifications to their existing house. The house is composed of a three-story central section of sand colored stucco with two-story fieldstone wings on each side. The entire house has many white-painted divided light windows with green shutters arranged in an orderly manner. The central section sits on a raised fieldstone terrace with a white-painted balustrade and wide centered opening with four stone steps. On the left side of the steps, a twenty-two-inch-wide staircase with handrails rests on top of the stone steps. Franklin Roosevelt used the handrails of the wooden staircase to lift and move his body between the terrace and ground levels. Six Sego palms in white painted barrel pots rest on top of six square pedestals evenly spaced across the terrace balustrade. The central stucco section is divided into five bays. A bay on each end protrudes slightly forward from the three-bay center. A white-painted double door with arched window at top is at the center of the bay. A semicircular, white-painted wooden portico of four columns and balustrade at top frames the door. Two poles extend from the top of the portico flying a forty-eight-star U.S. flag on the left, and the presidential flag on the right. A large, white-painted cornice marks the top and bottom of the third story on the central bay. Four stucco chimneys and a decorative central balustrade are on top of what appears to be a flat roof. The protruding two-story fieldstone wings frame the sides of the central terrace. The left wing is divided into two bays defined by a pair of windows at each floor flanking a fieldstone chimney. The right wing is divided into three bays defined by evenly spaced second-story windows above arched openings leading into a covered porch. The porch is accessed by a flight of three stone steps at the central arch and a modern accessible ramp on the far-right side.

The Legacy of the Land

FDR had great input in the overall design of Top Cottage, which came from his life-long passion for history. He worked to preserve and interpret the past, making it valuable and relevant to future generations.

• FDR had great input in the overall design of Top Cottage, which came from his life-long passion for history. He worked to preserve and interpret the past, making it valuable and relevant to future generations.

The Road to Top Cottage

When you are the President of the United States, there is no vacation from the immeasurable responsibility of the office. But the trail you are about to climb leads to a place that, for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, came as close to a retreat as possible.

• When you are the President of the United States, there is no vacation from the immeasurable responsibility of the office. But the trail you are about to climb leads to a place that, for Franklin Delano Roosevelt, came as close to a retreat as possible.

The Roosevelt Home Garden

The Home Garden, nearly two acres in size, was a central part of life for the Roosevelt family. FDR grew up playing in the garden and savoring its bounty. His children and grandchildren helped work the garden, pulling weeds and harvesting its fruits and vegetables. FDR's memories of the garden helped shape his values and sense of identity.

• A large square garden divided by a central path into four quadrants.

The Stables

Hudson Valley architect Frederick Clarke Withers of Newburgh, New York, designed the Queen Anne-style building for FDR's father James Roosevelt in 1886.

• A two story building clad in wood clapboards and shingles with a central cupola. The first floor has a series of horse stalls and a tack room with leather saddles on display.

The Wild Garden

Restoration of the wild garden began in 2022 and is made possible in partnership with the Beatrix Farrand Garden Association, an official philanthropic partner of the National Park Service. A team of horticulturists, historians, and National Park Service staff have researched, budgeted, and devised a plan of action to create this garden. The wild garden will display an example of a natural design element that was an important feature of Beatrix Farrand’s design aesthetic.

Thomas Newbold Land

Newbold Road, named after land owner Thomas Newbold, was built on Roosevelt land so Newbold could access his farmland from his estate, Bellefield. This road was one of several that connected different areas of the Roosevelt property.

• Newbold Road, named after land owner Thomas Newbold, was built on Roosevelt land so Newbold could access his farmland from his estate, Bellefield. This road was one of several that connected different areas of the Roosevelt property.

Time and Transition

Since the President’s death in 1945, the 1,525-acre family estate has undergone extensive transformation.

• Since the President’s death in 1945, the 1,525-acre family estate has undergone extensive transformation.

Top Cottage

Franklin D. Roosevelt built Top Cottage for use as a private retreat where, after his presidency, he could write his memoirs and history. But world events intervened. The simplicity of Top Cottage belies its significance as a gathering place for the Roosevelts, world leaders, royalty, and the president's administration who convened in this restful setting to witness a world disintegrating into war and imagine a future with nations united in peace.

• A one-and-one-half story fieldstone building with central block and recessed symmetrical flanking wings, steeply pitched gable roofs. It sits atop the wooded crest of a broad hill surrounded by a rough lawn and canopy of oak trees.

Walled Garden at Bellefield

The walled garden at Bellefield is a delight for the senses by one of America’s most celebrated landscape architects, Beatrix Jones Farrand. Renowned for the private estate gardens she designed for East Coast society and some of the most prestigious private universities and colleges, Bellefield represents one of her earlier commissions.

• An open lawn extending from a house, surrounded by planting beds of flowers in graduated height toward a rustic stone wall surrounding the garden.

Welcome to Top Cottage

While never designed to be a residential home, Top Cottage nonetheless received an astounding list of visitors.

• While never designed to be a residential home, Top Cottage nonetheless received an astounding list of visitors.

Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center

• Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center
• Named in honor of the man who served as Secretary of Agriculture (1933-1940) and Vice-President during Franklin Roosevelt's third term, the Henry A. Wallace Center offers an array of services designed to enhance your visit to Hyde Park. The visitor center provides information on tours, exhibits, gardens, trails, activities, special events, and the film "Rendezvous with History." Our experienced staff can help you plan an itinerary for your visit.

• Tour FDR's Home
• Everything you need to know about access to FDR's home and how to obtain your tickets. Tour days and times change seasonally, so check here for more information on planning your visit.

• Explore the FDR Presidential Library Exhibits
• The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is independently operated and maintained by the National Archives and Records Administration, a federal agency.

• Visit the Burial Site
• According to Franklin D. Roosevelt's own instructions, he was buried in the family garden. His wishes reflect his connection to the place of his birth and the launching point of his rise to public prominence.

• View the Park Film: Rendezvous with History
• The park film runs daily at the Henry Wallace Visitor & Education Center. The 140-seat theater features a high-definition film written and produced by Tom Spain Productions. The twenty minute film, "Rendezvous with History," features interviews with two of the Roosevelt grandchildren, Curtis Roosevelt and Anna Eleanor Roosevelt, as well as historic footage. There is no fee to see the film.

• Farm Lane Trail
• Roosevelt Farm Lane is part of the historic road network that connected the Roosevelt Home, Val-Kill, Top Cottage, the Home Farm, and FDR’s tree plantations. From the 19th century through 1945, the flat, fertile lands along the Albany Post Road and Violet Avenue were used for growing crops, while the rugged,rocky and wet interior was only suitable for growing trees. FDR planted over 21 acres of trees were planted between 1912 and 1944.

• Top Cottage Trail
• This trail takes you to the highest point on the Hyde Park Trails. When you reach the summit, you will have made the same climb that kings and queens and a host of foreign leaders made during some of the most critical days of the 20th century. Top Cottage, FDR’s humble hilltop getaway hosted pivotal meetings that shaped world history. It also provided guests with a dramatic vantage point from which to view the natural beauty of the Hudson River Valley, FDR’s cherished home.

• Visit the Home Garden
• Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt’s ties to the land and the community where they lived helped to shape the work they undertook to better society and the world. Visit the garden to discover the work we are doing to restore this important historic feature of Roosevelt family life on the estate.

• Visit the Walled Garden at Bellefield
• Visit this gem of a garden. Secretly tucked behind the surrounding stone wall and privacy hedge, a walk through the gate will delight the senses in a profusion of pastel colors and the sweet spice of summer blooms. The Walled Garden at Bellefield is an often overlooked "must see" feature just a short walk from the Henry A. Wallace Visitor & Education Center at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site.

• Visit the Small Space Gardening Exhibit
• While the Roosevelts had a plenty of space for an expansive garden, the small space garden exhibit demonstrates different systems for gardening with whatever space you have available. The designs displayed here address the common challenges faced when gardening and provide sensible solutions for the home grower. With as little space as it takes to set down your groceries, you could be growing fresh veggies.

Farm Lane Trail

Roosevelt Farm Lane is part of the historic road network that connected the Roosevelt Home, Val-Kill, Top Cottage, the Home Farm, and FDR’s tree plantations. The interior of the land was heavily planted with trees by FDR—Norway spruce, tulip-poplar, white pine and red pine to name a few. FDR planted over 21 acres of trees between 1912 and 1944.

Walking Tour of Springwood

This self-paced tour provides introduction to the the principal buildings, gardens, and historic features of President and Mrs. Roosevelt's home.