Washington, DC – U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand today announced that her legislation to expand the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) National Historic Site was signed into law on Tuesday. Gillibrand’s FDR Historic Preservation Act authorizes the National Park Service to acquire 89 acres of land that are directly adjacent to the Home of FDR National Historic Site in Hyde Park and are currently owned by Scenic Hudson. Gillibrand’s legislation was signed into law as a provision in the Natural Resources Management Act.
“I’m excited to announce that my legislation to expand the Franklin D. Roosevelt Historic Site has been signed into law. Franklin D. Roosevelt is one of our nation’s most influential presidents and his home in the Hudson Valley is an important part of our state’s history,” said Senator Gillibrand. “This expansion will further preserve the site so that people from all over the country can continue to visit and learn more about FDR’s legacy. I was proud to lead this effort and I will always fight to protect New York’s historic treasures.”
The Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site is located in Hyde Park and preserves the Springwood estate, which was the birthplace, home, and burial location of Franklin D. Roosevelt. The site is also the burial place of Eleanor Roosevelt. In 1943, Franklin D. Roosevelt donated the estate to the public, and the entire property was transferred to the U.S. Department of Interior in 1945 as a National Historic Site. The expansion of the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site would help protect the viewshed and provide a buffer from commercial or residential development.