Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library |
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Entrance To Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site
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| General information | |
| Location | Hyde Park, New York, United States |
| Coordinates | 41°46′07″N 73°56′03″W / 41.768680°N 73.934115°W |
| Named for | Franklin Delano Roosevelt |
| Construction started | 1939 |
| Completed | 1940 |
| Inaugurated | Dedicated on 30 June 1941 |
| Cost | $376,000 |
| Management | National Archives and Records Administration |
| Technical details | |
| Size | 16 acres (6.5 ha) |
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum is a special place in Hyde Park, New York. It's like a big archive and museum for Franklin D. Roosevelt, who was the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 to 1945. This library is located on the grounds of his family's home, called Springwood.
President Roosevelt himself helped plan and build this library between 1939 and 1940. It officially opened on June 30, 1941. It was the very first presidential library in the United States. Today, it's one of thirteen such libraries managed by the National Archives and Records Administration.
Contents
History of the Library
Franklin D. Roosevelt loved collecting things and was very interested in history. As president, he realized he had gathered a huge amount of important papers, books, and items. These came from his long career in public service. He knew these items needed a special place where they could be kept safe and studied.
Why FDR Built It
Before Roosevelt, presidents usually took their official papers with them when they left office. These papers were seen as private property. Sometimes, they were sold, lost, or kept hidden from the public for a long time. This made it hard for historians to learn about past presidencies.
Franklin D. Roosevelt changed this tradition. He decided to give all his papers to the government. This made them available for everyone to see and study. His collection included papers from his time as a New York state senator, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, and Governor of New York. It also had documents from his twelve years as president. He also donated his personal collections about the U.S. Navy and Dutchess County, New York.
The library was built on 16 acres (6.5 ha) of land. This land was donated by Roosevelt and his mother, Sara. A contractor from Philadelphia named John McShain built the library. Margaret Suckley, who helped Roosevelt with his personal records, also helped set up the library. She worked there as an archivist for its first twenty years.
Location and Design
The library is located on the grounds of the Roosevelt family's Hyde Park estate. It is built from local Hudson Valley fieldstone. Its style looks like the old Dutch colonial buildings that Roosevelt liked. President Roosevelt even made a sketch of the building himself in 1937. The final building looks very similar to his drawing.
The main architects were Louis A. Simon and Henry J. Toombs. The building was paid for by private donations and cost $376,000. It was given to the federal government on July 4, 1940. The National Archives then took over its operation.
When it was finished in 1940, the library was already quite full. Roosevelt didn't expect to be president for more than two terms. By 1950, it held about 50 million items. This included 16,000 books, 15,000 photographs, and lots of film and sound recordings.
The library had a big update in the 21st century. It reopened on June 30, 2013. This renovation added more exhibit space and improved the research areas.
Other Important Collections
President Roosevelt hoped that his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, would also have her papers kept at the library. He even sketched ideas for new wings to hold her collection. When she passed away in 1962, Eleanor Roosevelt's papers filled three million pages.
New wings were built in 1972 to house her papers. The library also holds other important collections. For example, it has the 840-volume diary of Henry Morgenthau Jr., who was Roosevelt's Secretary of the Treasury.
Presidential Libraries Act
Because of what Franklin D. Roosevelt did, Congress passed the Presidential Libraries Act in 1955. This law created a clear process for how future presidents' papers would be preserved. It set up a system where private money would build the libraries, and the federal government would maintain them.
Now, all presidents from Herbert Hoover to George W. Bush have a presidential library or center. These are all overseen by the National Archives. Later, in 1978, the Presidential Records Act made all official presidential papers public property.
The Museum Section
Roosevelt wanted the library to be a major research center. He also hoped the museum part would attract many visitors. The museum opened on June 30, 1941. However, World War II changed his plans. The official opening of the library for research was delayed.
During the war, Roosevelt often visited the library. He would sort and organize his records and items. He even gave some of his famous "fireside chats" (radio speeches) from his study inside the library.
President Roosevelt made his last visit to Hyde Park in March 1945. He passed away on April 12, 1945, at the age of sixty-three.
See also
In Spanish: Biblioteca y Museo Presidencial de Franklin D. Roosevelt para niños
