Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum
4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY, 12538
America’s first presidential library, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, chronicles the life and presidency of the country’s longest serving president. Planned and designed by FDR himself, it holds his official papers, books, memorabilia, and personal effects, as well as the papers of Eleanor Roosevelt.
The basics
Explore the two-story, 12,000-square-foot (1,115-square-meter) library and museum on a self-guided tour. Museum exhibits include interactive and multimedia exhibits and cover all aspects of FDR’s life, from his childhood through the presidency, including the Great Depression, the New Deal, and World War II. Visitors can see FDR’s Oval Office desk, his 1936 Ford Phaeton, and the library’s study, which was the scene of several of FDR’s “fireside chats.” The archives contain more than 17 million pages, around 16,000 books, 15,000 photos, and extensive audio and film recordings. The museum hosts a special exhibition every year on a different topic, plus a range of educational programs and events.
Things to know before you go
- Ticket options include admission to just the library and museum or a combo ticket that includes a tour of the Roosevelt home; all library and museum tickets are valid for two consecutive days.
- Admission is free for children aged 15 and under.
- Free Wi-Fi is available onsite.
- The site is wheelchair-accessible.
How to get there
The attraction is located on the grounds of the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, around 4 miles (6.4 kilometers) north of Poughkeepsie. Take the train—Metro-North Railroad’s Hudson Line from Grand Central Station or Amtrak from a number of cities—to Poughkeepsie, then take a car or the Dutchess Bus Service Route C. There’s free parking onsite if you're driving.
When to get there
The library and museum are open daily, with holiday closures for Thanksgiving, Christmas, and New Year’s Day. During the winter, the library and museum may be closed due to inclement weather.
Behind the scenes
The museum houses and preserves more than 35,000 objects, only a small portion of which the museum can display. To expand what visitors can see, the walls of some of the storage rooms have been opened in the Behind the Scenes Area. Visitors can now see FDR’s collection of more than 400 model ships, paintings, sculptures, and furniture.
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