Springwood National Historic Site

The crown jewel of Hyde Park, Springwood was the home of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and his family. Located off Route 9, across from the Hyde Park Drive-In, the home is a designated National Historic Site and consists of 290-acres.


After turning into the park you’ll see Bellefield, the Park Service Headquarters, on your left and a number of private residences will come up on your right. You’ll be forced to turn right, into the parking area by the Henry A. Wallace Visitor and Education Center. Tickets for tours of Springwood and the Presidential Library can be purchased here. The guided tour of the house and grounds is $14 for adults, and free for children under 16. The interior of the house is a great contrast to that of Vanderbilt and an interesting look into the life of one of our greatest Presidents. Unlike Vanderbilt, which was designed to show off the opulence of the owners, Springwood was designed to exude the rich history of the Roosevelt family.


It also costs $14 for adults to take a tour of the Presidential Library and Museum, which contain many papers and mementos of FDR’s years in office. In addition to the house and library, you can purchase tickets at the Visitor's Center to tour Val-Kill, Top Cottage, and Vanderbilt. I further encourage you to make use of the various free pamphlets about the area that are offered here.


The Center contains a number of other interesting things, such as a gorgeous mosaic of the surrounding area. There is also the New Deal Store, which is a great place to buy local gifts. The Milstein Auditorium is located here as well, which shows various films about FDR. Mrs. Nesbitts Fireside Café offers an opportunity to purchase a snack while on the premises.


Once you’re done exploring the Visitor’s Center, exit out the side doors to view a statue of Franklin and Eleanor sitting together on a bench. Continue on down the path, and you’ll pass the Presidential Library. After passing the library, turn right and you’ll be headed towards the Rose Garden. Both FDR and his wife are interred here. During the spring and summer months, a large variety of flowers blossom around the grave marker.


Beyond the Rose Garden you’ll come to the house. Transformed from a farmhouse, the mansion is less grand then some of the other homes in the region. The Roosevelts, as old money, were more modest in their display of wealth than many of their neighbors. Going around the South side of the house, you'll approach a nice view of the Hudson and Catskills, as well as the meadow below. Although it pales in comparison to the views at Vanderbilt, it is still a lovely place to sit and gaze out across the water.





Once you’re done viewing the house and surrounding area, turn back onto the path and head towards the Coach House and Stables. Inside the coach house is a mini-museum with prize ribbons, pictures of the horses, and halters. On the left wall is a small button that, when pushed, plays three minutes of audio from Mrs. Roosevelt. It is an eerie experience wandering the stables while her voice echoes throughout. Next to the coach house is the Carriage House which contains a rare photography exhibit entitled “Turf, Field and Farm: The Place of Country.”


Continuing down the path, you’ll pass by the Greenhouse and the two Ice Houses. Soon you’ll come to a path leading off to the left and down the hill. This leads to the Roosevelt Woods Trails. There is a sign here that tells you about the trails and shows you a map of the woods.


There are three trails leading off from here: the Cove Trail, the Meadow Trail, and the Forest Trail. Each trail is well marked along the way, and gives you information on how far you still have to go. The Cove Trail, which is 1.5 miles roundtrip, leads down to the Roosevelt Cove. About halfway down the trail, you’ll come to the Ice Pond on your right. This is where blocks of ice would be cut during the winter to be put in the ice houses, which you passed earlier. I always found the deep, dark water here to be creepy, and although I let my dog swim here on occasion I am always fearful of what may lie in the depths.


The trail will now join up with a stream, the Meriches Kill, which will follow the path all the way down to the cove. After a while you’ll come to the trailhead for the Forest Trail on your right. The trail is 2.2 miles, and circles back around to this spot.


Continuing along the Cove Trail, you’ll come to the Meadow Trail which branches off to the left. Bear to your right and you’ll soon reach the Roosevelt Cove. This is a very peaceful area, and many birds come to swim in the still water. The trail will end abruptly here at the railroad tracks. However, if you’re daring, and don’t mind trespassing on railroad property, you can continue on to your left along the cove. After a few hundred yards you’ll come to a stone duct which connects the cove to the Hudson River. Cross the tracks here, but be very careful. The trains can easily sneak up on you if you’re not paying attention.


Once across you’ll see the other end of the duct. This offers an opportunity to get out to the water through the bramble, and provides a nice view of the Hudson Bridge. It is a relaxing place to sit and put your feet in the water. I let my dog swim here, but only on the leash due to the strong current.


When you’ve finished here and returned to the trail, you’ll soon come back to the Meadow Trail on your right. This trail is 1.5 miles long and takes you past the Hay Meadows below Springwood. Many deer graze here, and you’re likely to see a few towards the evening.


Returning up the hill to the start of the trails, now turn left. You’ll pass the Gardener’s Cottage on your left, which is still occupied. Further up the path, you’ll come to an interesting statue that looks like a woman praying. I had always been curious to the origins of this piece, and finally asked a park ranger about it. Apparently, Roosevelt had seen the original somewhere and fallen in love with it, so he had a replica made in 1939. When it arrived, he was disappointed with the workmanship, and had it placed away from his house over by what is now the parking lot. You have now seen everything there is to see, and can exit the way you came in.


If you’d like to learn more about Springwood, go to http://www.nps.gov/hofr/index.htm. Merry meanderings!