Abstract
This thesis addresses the cultural landscape of Springwood, the core of the Roosevelt family estate in Hyde Park, New York that was the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR), 32nd President of the United States. The research was funded by the National Park Service to provide a foundation for future preservation strategies and management decisions related to this significant cultural landscape.
Springwood was the home of the Roosevelt family for almost 80 years, starting in 1867 when James Roosevelt purchased the estate, and lasting until 1945 when FDR died and the site was turned over to the National Park Service. The house served as campaign headquarters when FDR entered politics in 1910. At Hyde Park, FDR explored many of the land stewardship ideals he championed as governor and president, including reforestation and historic preservation. Following construction of his presidential library on a part of the landscape, FDR gave Springwood to the United States in 1943, and it opened to the public as a National Historic Site in 1946.
The thesis documents the physical history of the landscape, inventories its existing landscape characteristics and features, and evaluates which of those features contribute to the historic character of the landscape. Despite some changes to the property, the landscape remains remarkably intact since FDR’s death in 1945 and the historic character of a working farm and private residence is still evident.
This thesis is also available at SUNY ESF’s Moon Library – Thesis Call Number B334