The Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site in Hyde Park, New York is a must-visit for those interested in the life and legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt. The site includes the Stone Cottage, Val-Kill Cottage, and the surrounding gardens and grounds.
Visitors can tour the Stone Cottage, where Eleanor lived after the death of her husband, President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The cottage is filled with personal items and memorabilia, including her famous “My Day” column desk. Val-Kill Cottage, which was her personal retreat and later became a factory for her furniture-making business, is also open for tours.
Other points of interest include the visitor center, which offers exhibits on Eleanor’s life and work, and the gardens and grounds, which were designed by the famous landscape architect Beatrix Farrand.
Interesting facts about the site include the fact that it was bequeathed to the National Park Service by Eleanor herself, and that it was the only National Historic Site dedicated to a First Lady until the creation of the Betty Ford Center in 1987.
The best time of year to visit is between May and October, when the site is open for tours. However, visitors should be aware that the site is closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.