Eileen B.
Yelp
My son and I made a "pilgrimage" to The Roosevelt National Historic Site two weeks ago. (Full disclaimer - in my opinion - as a trained historian - I believe that President Franklin Roosevelt, along with General Washington, and Abraham Lincoln, is one of the greatest presidents in the history of our republic.)
So, aside from our visit being one of the most moving and inspiring experiences I have ever had, here are my more "objective" comments on the site itself.
The physical plant, exhibits, information, and staff are top rate. The site is spacious, with excellent facilities in the Henry A. Wallace Visitor Center and friendly staff who provide orientation so that you can begin your visit.
We began with a guided tour of Springwood, FDR's large home, which was led by a volunteer guide, Rich. Rich is retired from his professional career, but is a keen student of American history. He went out of his way to get to know the people on our tour (who were from several different countries as well as the US) and he incorporated comments and facts that were specific to the experiences of all of us on the tour. We were given ample time to visit the public spaces in the home and Rich made sure to answer everyone's questions. We felt that we really lucked out getting him as our guide.
You should plan to spend two days visiting. We broke our two days up at the library and museum to cover 1882 to the election of 1940 on the first day and the continued through the war years, FDR's death and exhibits on the life and career of Eleanor Roosevelt on the second day.
The exhibits are presented in multimedia formats -short films, interactive exhibits, and opportunities to sit by a kitchen table to listen to fireside chats (just as my mother and her family did when FDR first delivered them). And, the exhibits and materials do not whitewash some of the less than honorable facets of FDR's life and career - including his privileged and cosseted upbringing, his personal indiscretions and failures, and the internment of Japanese Americans during the war. And his disability and paralysis are fully disclosed, with pictures and exhibits that were never shown to the American people (that being a time when physical disabilities were considered weak and often shameful).
Although we spent two days visiting, we did not have time to explore the other parts of the historic site, including Eleanor's retreat at Valkill and FDR's retreat at Top Cottage - we will just have to make another pilgrimage!
Finally kudos and thanks to all the folks at our National Park Service - they are welcoming, knowledgeable, and great ambassadors for this great country.