Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today wrote to the National Park Service urging that the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, be designated as a National Historic Landmark. The FDR Library, located in Hyde Park, first opened to the public in 1941, and highlights the lasting contributions of President Franklin and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The library and museum details his political career and interests with personal memorabilia and collections.
“President Roosevelt began the time-honored tradition of preserving history with Presidential Libraries by establishing his in Hyde Park as the first, and the library should be recognized for its historical significance and designated a national landmark,” said Senator Gillibrand. “For 75 years families, researchers and historians have come to Hyde Park to learn about the legacy of the nation’s 32nd President – it’s finally time to make this designation official and solidify the FDR Library and Museum as a national landmark to ensure the preservation of this important site for generations to come.”
The National Historic Landmarks Committee of the National Park System Advisory Board is scheduled to evaluate the potential designation later this month.
The full text of Senator Gillibrand’s letter to the National Park Service Director is included below.
Mr. Jonathan B. Jarvis
Director
National Park Service
1849 C Street NW
Washington, DC 20240
Dear Director Jarvis,
I write in support of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum for designation as a National Park Service National Historic Landmark. The Franklin D. Roosevelt Library is a nationally significant place for the United States and is deserving of this status.
Located in Hyde Park, New York, the Franklin D. Roosevelt Library was built on family property under President Roosevelt’s guidance and opened to the public in 1941 as the nation’s first presidential library. Today, the Library is home to President Roosevelt’s extensive paper, book, and memorabilia collections, serving as a research and education tool on the legacy of the President and First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. A strong representation of President Franklin Roosevelt himself, the library displays aspects of both his political career and personal interests in the history of the Hudson Valley, architecture, and collecting.
The Franklin D. Roosevelt Library and Museum is enigmatic of President Franklin Roosevelt, who was instrumental in designing the site and sought support from historians, archivists, and experts during the planning process. Additionally, President Roosevelt viewed the library as not only a personal project, but also as a service to the United States for its contributions to research, scholarship, and the preservation of history. The site is significant for its representation of the lasting contributions of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt during the mid-20th Century. Achieving the distinction as a National Historic Landmark will ensure the preservation of this important site for generations to come.
I ask that you please give the application submitted by the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum your full consideration.
Sincerely,
Kirsten Gillibrand
United States Senator