125th HOME | INTRODUCTION | ARTICLES | PRESS RELEASE | EVENTS CALENDAR
PRESS RELEASE
For Immediate Release
Contact: Clifford Laube, 845-486-7745
Birth Announcement:
Future President Born in Hyde Park, New York
January 30 1882, James and Sara Roosevelt are proud to announce the birth of their
son: Franklin Delano Roosevelt at their home in Hyde Park, New York. He is destined
to be elected four times and become the most influential American President of the
twentieth century.
The impact of Franklin Roosevelt on the 20th and 21st century can be felt most powerfully
in Hyde Park, the epicenter of his life. During the 12 years of his presidency, many of
the most important figures of the past 125 years visited here - among them Winston Churchill,
Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, King George and Queen Elizabeth of the United Kingdom,
Crown Princess Martha and Crown Prince Olav of Norway, MacKenzie King, Prime Minister of
Canada, Madame Chiang Kai-Shek of China, and Wilhelmina, Queen of the Netherlands.
It was in Hyde Park that FDR plotted World War II strategy with Winston Churchill. It was here
that he developed a lifelong love of the environment that led to the creation of numerous
programs to put people back to work and restore the land in the Great Depression. Here that
he learned to triumph over his crippling disability and return to public life. From his
study in the library, Roosevelt delivered two of his famous "fireside chats." It was here
that he built Top Cottage, his private retreat. And it was here, following his sudden death
in the closing months of World War II, where his body came home.
FDR's home at Hyde Park is a National Historic Site. The FDR Presidential Library and Museum
is the nation's first Presidential Library. The President took a personal interest in the
library's Dutch colonial architectural design, which symbolized for him "a quality of
endurance against great odds - a quality of quiet determination to conquer obstacles of
nature and obstacles of man." Both the Home and Presidential Library are key destinations
for millions of visitors from every state and country in the world. Children and their
parents come to learn about history, seniors come to relive it. Throughout 2007, Hyde Park
will be the focal point of a year of celebration honoring FDR's legacy and his place in
the world today.
January 30th Celebrations of FDR's 125th Birthday
The events marking the Franklin Roosevelt anniversary year begin on the 30th of January
in Hyde Park. All three of the day's events will feature participation and commentary
by Christopher duPont Roosevelt, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt's grandson.
1) The popular morning radio show, The Round Table from WAMC, Northeast Public Radio,
featuring Susan Arbetter and Joe Donahue, will broadcast live from the Henry A. Wallace
Visitor and Education Center. The program, on air from 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 noon, will give
listeners to a sound portrait of world figures who have visited and the historic events
that have taken place in Hyde Park.
2) At 3:00 p.m., the National Park Service will host a graveside ceremony at Home of
Franklin Roosevelt National Historic Site. Franklin Roosevelt deliberately designed a simple
grave marker for himself and Mrs. Roosevelt and selected a tranquil site within the beautiful
Rose Garden. A United States Military Academy at West Point honor guard and color guard
will be present in the Rose Garden for the birthday ceremony and Brigadier General (P) Robert
L. Caslen, Commandant of Cadets at West Point will present a wreath on behalf of the President
of the United States. Special guest speaker, Christopher duPont Roosevelt will lay flowers
on behalf of the Roosevelt family. Other presenters include the Hyde Park Town Supervisor,
the Hyde Park Chamber of Commerce, American Legion Post #1303, the March of Dimes, the FDR
Presidential Library and Museum, the Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, the Eleanor
Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, and the National Park Service. The public is cordially invite
to lay flowers on the grave and attend all events. Birthday cake will be served after the
ceremony in the Wallace Center. Sarah Olson, Superintendent of the National Park Service commented
that, "although the 30th of January comes during our coldest season, for some unknown reason,
the sun almost always appears during the Rose Garden ceremony celebrating Franklin Roosevelt's birthday."
3) At 6:00 p.m. on January 30, The Culinary Institute of America in Hyde Park, NY is hosting a
special event in their Winter Dining Series entitled Happy 125th Birthday, FDR! FDR's grandson,
Christopher duPont Roosevelt, will present fascinating insights into the Roosevelts' home life,
including the Presidential Cocktail Hour and the delights - and perils - of dining with the First
Family. Dinner will follow in St. Andrew's Cafe. Reservations are essential and may be obtained
by calling 845-471-6608 or through the the Culinary Institute website: http://www.ciachef.edu.
Special Traveling Exhibit: FDR @ 125
Cynthia Koch, Director of the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, announces the creation of a
special traveling exhibit dedicated to the legacy of FDR. Using as its theme FDR @ 125 His Vision:
Our Freedoms Still Alive, the exhibit will be available for public viewing in different parts of
the United States as the 12-month celebration unfolds. Dr. Koch stated, "Interest in Franklin Roosevelt's
contributions to national and international affairs continues to grow. This exhibit is designed to
interest and engage both the members of the "greatest generation," who remember FDR, and new generations
who are inspired by his leadership." The exhibit will open in late January, 2007 in the National Archives
in Washington, D.C.
FDR's 125th Anniversary in Historic Hyde Park
The 125th anniversary of the birth of Franklin Roosevelt will be celebrated by the four organizations
that support the legacy of the Roosevelts in Hyde Park. Known by the collective name, Historic
Hyde Park, these include the Franklin D. Rooosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, the Home of
FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Sites, and two private non-profits - The Franklin and
Eleanor Roosevelt Institute, and the Eleanor Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill.
Many of the events held by the member organizations of Historic Hyde Park will be themed around
President Roosevelt's 125th anniversary.
125th HOME | INTRODUCTION | ARTICLES | PRESS RELEASE | EVENTS CALENDAR