We have come to enjoy and now look for opportunities to visit Presidential Libraries . In each of the libraries we’ve visited so far (LBJ, Clinton, FDR), we have come away with a deeper understanding and appreciation for the men and politics of the time. FDR’s library and museum served to remind us of the challenging times during which he served and his great contributions to our country. FDR served an unprecedented four terms as the 32nd president of the United States from 1933 until his death in 1945.

FDR was elected to the Presidency in 1932, when the United States was four years into the Great Depression. He garnered over 57 percent of the vote and won all but six states.

His overwhelming first victory is attributed to Herbert Hover’s failure to intervene in the US economy, which prolonged the depression. Unemployment rates were approaching 25%. Hoover had signed the Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act in 1930, further worsening the depression.

FDR ran on his “New Deal” which focused on relief for the unemployed and the poor, recovery of the economy, and reforms of the financial system that precipitated the stock market crash, which resulted in the depression. FDR’s increases in federal spending were successful and the unemployment rate steadily decreased until Word War II resulted in massive government spending and reduced unemployment below 5 percent.

Although he was re-elected to three more terms, FDR’s Presidency was not without controversy and criticism. While he successfully led the country through a tumultuous time (steering the United States out of the Great Depression and through World War II), he was criticized for his New Deal initiative that helped to jump-start the economy and provided essential support for society’s most vulnerable populations.

Although he had political reasons for many of his actions, he has also been criticized for attempting to pack the Supreme Court, not supporting a federal anti-lynching bill, expanding presidential powers and signing Executive Order 9066 authorizing the internment of Japanese Americans (see our blogs on visiting the Minidoka and Heart Mountain Internment Camps), growing the role of the federal government, and levying higher taxes on individuals and businesses. There was also the issue of his infidelity. Regardless of how you judge his time in office, you cannot help but admire the man for his perseverance despite contracting polio and his dedication to serving the American people.

In addition to FDR’s library, his boyhood home, The Springwood Estate, is also located on the property. Purchased in 1866 by his father for $40,000, or just over $800,000 in 2025 dollars, FDR used the home as his “Summer White House” and then extensively throughout World War II. FDR entertained numerous prominent people in the home, including Queen Elizabeth and Winston Churchill. The house was always a source of great refuge for FDR and contains much of his collections of stamps, coins, taxidermy, and books. FDR, his wife Eleanor and two dogs are buried near the home he so loved.

If you drive to the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, there is ample parking near the visitor center that will accommodate large RVs. Tickets for the museum can be purchased in advance and are good for two consecutive days (Yes, there is that much information to absorb!). Tickets for tours of FDR’s home are only available for purchase on site.

We are heading home for a few weeks so to have a new roof installed, which will require a complete tear off and re-decking. After the roof is installed, we plan to visit western Massachusetts and the Finger Lakes region of New York.

As always thanks for following along.