The President's Study

NPS Photo

This small room functioned as the Little White House when the President was in resdience, providing a cozy space for FDR to work, meet visitors, hold press conferences, and broadcast at least one of his "Fireside Chat" radio addresses to the nation. Even after he completed his office at the Presidential Libray, FDR continued to use the study for two or three hours of work per day, usually in the morning or after dinner. His office at the Presidential Library was used mainly to sort through the family and naval history collections, meet with Library personnel, and perhaps meet an important visitor. FDR's personal secretary Grace Tully reported that she never moved to the Library and that this room was the official Hyde Park White House office.

 

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Furnishings of Note

 

Pair of Bookends

This set of bookends was carved from wood salvaged from the U.S.S. Constitution. A brass plate fixed to the base reads "THIS MATERIAL WAS TAKEN FROM THE ORIGINAL HULL OF THE U.S. FRIGATE CONSTITUTION, KEEL LAID 1794, REBUILDING 1927."

 

The Clipper Ship 'Surprise'

As a young girl, FDR's mother Sara Delano sailed on this ship from New York to Hong Kong in 1862. Sara's father, Warren Delano, was a wealthy merchant who made a fortune in the tea and opium trade in China. Sara lived in Hong Kong until she returned to New York in 1865.

 

New York Standard

New York standard from the 1920 National Democratic Convention held in San Francisco from June 29 to July 6. The convention resulted in the nomination of James Cox of Ohio for president and Franklin D. Roosevelt of New York for vice president. The standard is framed with a note in FDR’s handwriting, “This is the original Standard of N.Y. at the S.F. Convention which F.D.R. took possession of after a free for all fight! FDR.”