Historic Hyde Park

by Nancy

One of the things we appreciate about the Loop, among many things, is the history you find along the way. About 93 miles from New York City is the city of Hyde Park, the location of FDR’s Home and Presidential Library, one of the Vanderbilt Mansions, as well as other historic sites.

Right at our marina was an old boat house, that was used to store Roosevelt’s ice boats although, in disrepair, no one has the heart or maybe the money to remove it. A train station not far from the Vanderbilt Mansion was built and used exclusively by Vanderbilt to travel to NYC and was “loaned” to FDR while he was campaigning for President. We enjoyed hearing the anecdotes, seeing these National Parks and had a very special lunchand were pampered at the Culinary Institute of America, a four-year college that was the first to teach culinary arts in the US.

The FDR Library and Museum house exhibits that tell the story of FDR’s presidency beginning with the Great Depression and continuing through to the New Deal and WWII. This was the first Presidential Library and was the only one used by a sitting President.
This desk was in the Oval Office by our 32nd President in the White House throughout his 12 years as President. At this desk, many landmark laws, and legislation were signed. The desk was previously used by President Hoover as well.
The desk accessories were all used by Roosevelt and are arranged as they were at the time of his death.
The museum has preserved over 34,000 artifacts related to the lives and careers of the Roosevelts.
Campaign Hat worn by FDR
FDR was first President to serve with a physical disability as a result of Polio
1936 Ford Phaeton, FDR drove it around Hyde park as it was equipped with special hand controls
CIA’s logo marks the Entrance to Roth Hall where student-run restaurants are located.
Roth Hall, the primary teaching facility on campus
The Culinary Institute of America’s s campus was once St. Andrew-on-Hudson Jesuit Novitiate and purchased in 1970. The campus grounds are beautifully landscaped and overlook the Hudson, the architecture is enchanting and you’ll even find a cemetery right on the grounds. The campus alone is reason to go here, but why not eat?
The menu was Pre-Fixe and included salad, (above) Entree & Dessert
Dessert was too pretty to eat, well not really, it was delicious!
The restaurant is student-run and as part of their education, each student must work in each section of the restaurant, hosting, wait staff, kitchen, etc. The presentation, quality, and food were excellent. Our Server was new to the position and although we tried to make him feel comfortable, he was very nervous and a little stressed, it made us realize how hard a job it really is to be a good server.
The Bocuse restaurant is the Culinary Institute’s French Restaurant, there are two others, an Italian and an American. The decor was in keeping with the French theme.
Vanderbilt Mansion is a fine example of the gilded age country place, built expressly for the aristocratic lifestyle. Taking 4 years to build, it was completed in 1899 for Frederick and Louise Vanderbilt. Used by the family in the Spring and Fall, it was just one of the many estates owned by the family. The mansion has a total of 54 rooms and 21 fireplaces. It cost $660,000 to build and $1.5 million to furnish. It was staffed with 18 servants. It is now one a National Historic Site and part of the National Parks system.
Living Room furnished with Renaissance Antiques & Louis XV seating.
Mr. Vanderbilt’s bedroom
Guest Bedroom with ceiling mural
Vanderbilt Gardens
View of the Hudson Valley
from the Mansion
The end of this relic came when Mr. Vanderbilt . died and had no children to inherit the mansion, his niece therefore tried to sell it with no success. Finally she sold it to the government for $1 and got a tax write off. It once housed FDR ‘s secret service agents when the President visited Hyde Park before becoming a National Park.
This was the end of our history lesson at Hyde Park but there’ll be more history to come, perhaps on the historic Erie Canal.

2 thoughts on “Historic Hyde Park”

  2. Next time check out Val-Kill in Hyde Park. It was the home of Eleanor Roosevelt.
    The desk in the library I believe is a reproduction. I think Elliott Roosevelt took the real one after FDR died.

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