Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library Reviews

Magnificent museum and presidential library. We had a guided tour of the house, followed by a walk throughout the presidential library. Great introductory film, and lots of supplemental materials, help paint a vivid portrait of Franklin and Eleanor.

My family and I did a NYE weekend getaway in Hyde Park, NY. This place was the main point of our visit. We decided to do the full tour. The grounds, FDR's home, library, experience, and our tour guide Jessica were all great.

Best Presidential collection I have seen, amazing grounds, arts and National Park Staff knew their history.

This library does a fantastic job in showcasing FDR s presidency and underscoring how important he and Eleanor were in guiding us through the Great Depression and WWII. The exhibits have been recently updated and are as high-tech as any of the Smithsonian Museums in DC. I also appreciate that they honestly address criticisms of his administration (Japanese-American Internment Camps) and well-founded rumors (FDR s and Eleanor s affairs). FDR and Eleanor paved the way for the USA to become the amazing country it is today with their focus on safety nets for the poor, advancing equal rights for all Americans, and fighting vigorously on behalf of our freedoms.

Definitely worth a visit.. Gives a glimpse into the Great Depression and the War Times

It took us one and a half days to cover all of this as well as Eleanor's house. This is an amazing collection of history. We are trying to visit all Presidential libraries and this rates right up at the top. Do not miss it and do not try to do it in a couple of hours.

"Journey Back to the Days of FDR" - We visited the FDR estate, Presidential Library and Museum. The two are co-located. The tours of the house are guided, and scheduled in groups, so there is time to go through the Library and Museum. The museum is modern and contains many artifacts and history from his life, and 4 terms as President from 1933 to 1945 when he passed away. I enjoyed looking at his car that had been rigged so FDR could drive without the use of his legs. After going through the Library, we joined our tour and went through the house with the National Parks tour guide. The house is large, but cut up with many rooms, so it feels cozy. It is decorated with the original items that they owned. Also, at the house is the horse stable, and the burial site of Franklin and Eleanor in the Rose Garden.

This building is home to the first Presidential Library (there are currently 13). It was set up by FDR to house the vast collection of public records and personal memorabilia accumulated during his 12 years as President. A sampling of these items is shown at the museum, including letters from ordinary citizens.

The museum also presents his life in an almost chronological fashion, making the narrative easy to follow. The room he used as his personal study is also on view. His equally influential and prominent wife Eleanor figure prominently and there is a section devoted entirely to her life and causes. Finally, there are some special exhibitions, focused on notable events during his presidency, including World War II and the Great Depression.

The place is huge and it's easy to get overwhelmed with information. Definitely pace yourself and bring good walking shoes. We stayed for 2.5 hours. Tickets can be bought at the Visitor Center close by, and include a guided tour of the house.

In my opinion, one of the best library and grounds of any President. The entire Hyde Park area is beautiful, and the rich and amazing history of the FDR library just tops it off. This is where he gave many of his fireside chats and his office where he helped chart the course of the world during those tumultuous times is still there and intact. Many of his hand written famous speeches are on display in the building as well. Don't miss the story of this amazing man if you're in the area.

This is an inspiring museum! Don t miss the introductory video at the Visitor Center.
Made us proud to be American, and appreciate the enormous challenges of the Depression and World War II. A wonderful place to bring your friends and family. Children (and adults) of all ages will enjoy the visit and have so much to talk about. Beautiful exhibits with video/audio/interactive components about the Depression, Pearl Harbor, World War II, civil rights. Can t believe it took us so long to visit. Great bookshop too!

The home of FDR and the library are fascinating. The home is 95% original (according to the guide), so one has a complete sense of what it was like during FDR s lifetime. Eleanor and FDR contributed much to our American way of life. It is helpful to tour the library to understand the extent of their contributions. The guide was exceptionally good. Plan to spend a few hours.

Great immersion into the 1930s and 40s. The library does a great job of telling the story of the Roosevelt legacy. The temporary exhibit if Japanese internment was very powerful.

Your hours are correct only for the research library, the museum is open Saturdays and Sundays.

this place is a waste of money. they shouldn't charge for this at all. if you like his history i guess its interesting. if you go there because you shoot photos - its a waste. a couple of enigma machines, his car behind glass, his office (2 of 3 of them anyway). there wasn't anything there...

that said though, you have to visit the bathroom in the basement, i think there are 4, handicap bathroom, you get a private room, big enough to back your car into. i don't know why its that big, but its quite nice.

Fantastic presidential residence, grounds, library and Museum. Get there early as it can quite a while to see everything. Tour was fun and informative. Library museum is extensive. When you buy the pass to the library Museum it's for 2 days, and after being there I see why. Cafe located on premise for a quick snack.

More details covering ww 2 + buildings exterior repair & maintenance. All that being said very nice & educational

Paid a visit for a school project. I had fun, area was beautiful and very educational. Great to know more about the Roosevelt family. Hope they continue to provide and change the world one person at a time.

Very enjoyable visit. Took the Metro-North from NYC and took advantage of the Roosevelt-Ride. Highly recommended.

I've never been much for history, but FDR is a person worth learning about. With the wise and compassionate counsel of his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt, he led the United States through the worst economic downturn of industrialized history (the Great Depression), and most of the war that consumed over 50 million lives (WW II). During several hours in the FDR presidential library and museum, I learned a little about his life and efforts in the face of such darkness, and hopefully, came away a little wiser for it.

A great way to spend the day. FDR's house is a unique gem tucked away in Springwood. The house is beautifully built and maintained. The tapestry and ornaments are so pretty. The house tour was pretty short, but you are free to roam around the FDR library for as long as you want. We spent over two hours in there and still didn't get through everything! Would definitely revisit!

Very informative about the Roosevelt's and that time for our country. Would love to go back someday.

I went here as a chaperone for my daughter's 5th grade field trip. It was a great trip. It has beautifully well maintained grounds, historic buildings, and lovely and very educational visitor center. The library and museum has soo much information and interactive exhibits it's too much to see and take in in just one visit. A must see place to visit for the Hudson valley.

Really well done, beautiful grounds, enthusiastic employees.
Only wish was more info on rural electrification administration and it impact on society.
Thanks

Great history & experience! Always like to go back & spend time there!

Loved it. Bought a bunch of memorabilia. Loved the tour guide's knowledge.

The library was expansive and full of very interesting artifacts - we spent 4 hours here with still much left unseen! There is so much history to take in from the time period. The museum's coverage of Eleanor's contributions were an unexpected treat. The house and grounds tour was short and underwhelming with little information added by the guide. Breathtaking view though!

Very worth a visit. We went for 2 hours, 1 on the house tour, 1 in the library/museum. Could spend much more time in the museum. We will go back before the D Day exhibit closes in January 2020. The house will be under renovation beginning in 2020 so call ahead to be sure uts open when you go. Even if it is not it is still worth going. We have been to Pearl Harbor and The Churchill War Room where FDR is prominent. Clearly he was one of the most impactful Presidents ever. His homestead and library is a national treasure. Highly recommend.

This was an amazing glimpse back in time to one of our nation's more difficult times, and the leader who got us through them.

Beautifully kept grounds. Very interesting informative. We were on vacation from Florida and were glad we made the trip. Definitely worth going.

What a superb job Ranger Twardy did of giving us the grand tour of FDR's residence. He really gave us snippets of the interactions between the household members that made you feel like you knew them better. He brought alive the spirit of the former occupants of this once very modest home. The dynamics between Franklin, Eleanor and FDR's mother Sarah really came to life through his well versed narratives. I was invited to go on this private tour as a Realtor and new member of Rand Commercial Services. This was the annual "Day of Learning" field trip. . I would love to go back again this summer as I can only imagine how beautiful the roses garden is. The museum tour was equally as intriguing and I could spend an entire afternoon in there and still enjoy going back again and again. For anyone who lives in the Hudson Valley area and has not yet been there I highly recommend you make a point of it to visit! Then go to the Ever Ready Diner for lunch! :)

Museum dedicated to the President who sold and betrayed half of Europe into slavery to former Hitler's ally for 50 years while lying to his voters in the USA

Closed, but still cool that you could walk around. Very beautiful and spacious. Ice-cream shop near by too.

Amazing. Very educational. Can easily spend 2 to 3 hours.

Wonderful experience !!! Part of America's history and the world.

This library is chocked full of information and displays. Plan on 2 to 3 hours just to see most of library. There is also a lot of information on Eleanor. The grounds are also beautiful to walk. The house is an other guided tour. If this review was helpful to you, please give it a like.

Beautiful place, support your history, do it with your kids..before its all gone. people destroying landmarks left and right. Awesome tile map inside welcome center, have to see to believe.

THIS IS BY FAR WORTH THE STOP. THERE IS SO MUCH TO SEE AROUND HERE. SO DO YOUR HOMEWORK AND CHECKOUT THE SURROUNDING AREA'S. IF YOU ONLY WANT TO SEE THIS SITE AND THE 5 BUILDINGS THEY OFFER BUY THE AMERICA THE BEAUTIFUL PASS. IT WILL GET YOU IN ALL NATIONAL FOREST AND SITES IN ALL STATES FOR FREE. IT PAYED FOR ITSELF AND SAVED US MONEY AFTER MY WIFE, SON AND I VISIT THIS SITE. ITS $80 FOR THE YEAR AND IT GET IN 3 ADULT, ONE CHILD TO ANY NATIONAL SITE. IF YOUR 62 OR OLDER ITS A LIFE TIME PASS.

A charming site!

As always, the American museums are incredible. Everything is explained great and is very well presented. We found everything very interesting and it is amazing how strong Roosevelt became despite being paralyzed by polio.

This was the best presidential library I ve ever been to.

This is the only presidential library I ve been to, so I didn t know what to expect. It was fascinating, really a well-curated museum. I learned a lot. Tickets are good for 2 days, which was perfect for us because we got there late the first day and had to rush through. Well worth the trip.

The tour was wonderful. Paul our tour guide was very knowledgeable, friendly and funny. We will be back to see the rest of the grounds on our next trip!

All the information you've ever wanted in one place about President FDR. Very cool, but definitely what you make of it.

The hours posted are WRONG! We drove all the way there and couldn't get in!

Loved this presidential library. So informative and moving. Took us thorough FRD and Eleanor's lives and their political contributions. Inspirational!

Great historical place to visit if you're a history buff!

Very historic and informative, took my grand daughter for her birthday, she loved it and so did I. I would recommend for children over 10.

Loved the history lessons that pertains to today's circumstances and warns us: if we don't stop the actions of the elite, we may have to relive the Great Depression.

Beautiful home, lots of history on FDR and the Roosevelt family. House is full of things FDR collected and personal items. Park Service does a great tour.

I loved it....I was there in Dec & it was decorated for Christmas...lots of history & artifacts

It's an eye-opener. It's information you didn't get in school. Definitely recommend this place.

So much to see at this, the nation's first Presidential Library and only Presidential Library to date that was completed and in use while its namesake was still in office. Well organized with an abundance of interactive displays and artifacts. One could spend as much or as little time as one feels going through this museum. FDR's presidency was a pivotal time for our country, and everything here exudes that importance.

One of the worst presidents in history, I don't know why I am driving there today. Oh yeah..I know why, cause I like driving, getting a car from Zipcar today.

Being our longest serving president, there was a great deal of historical artifacts and from a particular interesting time in American history. Definitely worth stopping here if you're in the area.

I learn so much from going here. And I would love to go back.

We really enjoyed our visit. The ranger who lead out trout was very well informed about the Roosevelts. Seeing the house revealed a great deal about what FDR was like behind the curtain. We spent an other hour or so in the library and museum.

Enjoyed visited museum and house. So much to see and read through. Park staff was very nice and knowledgeable. It is worth visiting especially if your within driving distance

The museum was just as good as the tour try and do both..

This was the first visit to any of the presidential libraries. Very so glad we did this tour. This was a self-guided tour that was really well done and easy to navigate. Totally worth the $10 ticket. I m looking forward to going to all the presidential libraries now!

Even our 8-year old and 12-year old son enjoyed it.

The FDR Museum is quite excellent, I highly recommend you visit. Plan a full day in order to see everything, but get there early because the guided tours fill up fast. The museum is well laid out and has great information about FDR's presidency (and early life). I really appreciated how the museum presented both the positive and negative aspects of FDR's personal and professional lives. I find that missing from most presidential libraries, they rarely cover the negatives.

If you have kids, keep in mind that the museum is not very interactive, so little ones in particular may lose interest quickly.

At FDRs bequeath home became property of the people. It is just as he left it. Amazing. As is his library