Roadie: FDR Presidential Library & Museum

The FDR Presidential Library & Museum located in Hyde Park, New York. (9/3/16)

On Labor Day weekend, my wife and I once again made our way to New York City. Four years ago it was an anxious train ride to deliver my stepson to Columbia University for his freshmen year; this year, his final one as an undergraduate, was a much different trek. Having spent the summer in New York City, the majority of his belongings were already there, and rather than escorting him to campus, as he departed our home in Rochester, my wife and I left by car. When he arrived in town to settle in in on Saturday afternoon, we were arriving in Poughkipsee, New York, for some sightseeing before taking the train to visit the following day.

At this point Gregory really doesn't require much help moving, but we wanted to see his new dorm and decided to make a weekend out of it. Having Gregory go to college in New York City has provided Anne and I with many opportunities to visit a number of the historical sites in and around New York City, and this final September journey was no different--except that we were not solely in Gotham.

A National Historic Site, The Frederick Delano Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, operated by the National Park Service, is located on the grounds of Springwood, the Roosevelt family estate in neighboring Hyde Park, New York. With Poughkipsee only a manageable two-hour train ride from New York City, its location was ideal as a base of operations for a day trip to the FDR National Park prior to heading to NYC. We would have liked to have spent more time in Hyde Park, as the four hours we did spend visiting was only enough to see a small part of the park's offerings. The library was built under the President's personal direction in 1939-1940, and dedicated on June 30, 1941. It is one of the thirteen presidential libraries under the auspices of the National Archives and Records Administration.

Close-up of FDR bust outside museum. (9/3/16)

Given their four terms in office, it is not suprising how quotable
President Roosevelt and his wife turned out to be.

Not a recreation, but FDR's working study in the museum during his life. (9/3/16) 

The President's desk from his time in the Oval Office. (9/3/16)

Busts of FDR and Eleanor Roosevelt welcome visitors to the museum. (9/3/16)

Picturesque park land immediately outside the museum. (9/3/16)

Looking back through these images from our visit to the FDR Presidential Library and Museum, I am struck by how poorly they reflect how incredibly entertaining and educational this historic site is. As someone with not nearly as deep an understanding of U.S. history as he should, while visiting places I am often more focused on taking the displays in than capturing the experience on "film". In addition to the few displays seen above, there are also six-minute films for viewing prior to each section of the museum. Each included archival footage and were thoroughly engaging. Ranging from FDR's childhood and early political life to an exploration of his lasting influence on the world, narrated by President Clinton, taken as a whole they provided wonderful context and background.

When we met Gregory the following day in New York City, both Anne and I highly recommended that he take some time to visit the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park.

Roadie: National September 11 Memorial

Approaching the Oculus and One World Trade Center. 
(6/19/16)

As frequently as we have been to New York City since my step-son began attending Columbia University  three years ago, we have not made it down to Ground Zero. Until last weekend. Not much to add except to say that scale of the buildings lost is far greater than depicted in the news. It was wonderful to see so many people from a Variety of backgrounds respectfully visiting the National Memorial.

Map of National September 11 Memorial. (6/19/16)

Just one-half of the Oculus, the World Trade
Center Transportation Hub. (6/19/16)

The two structures certainly make for a unique profile. (6/19/16)

One World Trade Center as seen from the adjacent North Pool. (6/19/16)

The North Pool of the National September 11 Memorial at the site of Tower One.
Both pools are part of the design entitled Reflecting Absence, by
architect Michael Arad and landscape architect Peter Walker. (6/19/16)

Victims names are inscribed on bronze plates attached to the parapets of the
walls of the memorial pools. (6/19/16)

Waterfall close-up. (6/19/16)

Security at South Pool. (6/19/16)

The South Pool; both pools include man-made
waterfalls along the sides. (6/19/16)

In memory of the Orlando victims. (6/19/16)

South Pool. (6/19/16)

Despite many visitors, a suitably solemn memorial. (6/19/16)

An impressive memorial definitely worth a visit should you find yourself in New York City.

Roadie: Columbia Crew at Collins Cup

With Spring Break and a long Easter weekend looming, Anne and I made the road trip to New Jersey to watch Gregory and the Columbia Heavyweight Crew squad compete with Rutgers for the Collins Cup. Given my cross-country and Track and Field coaching schedules, this was the first opportunity I have had to see him row in a collegiate race so we took advantage of it. During the spring season, regatta's consist of "sprints," or head-to-head, match-ups which also make for a more interesting spectator experience. We stayed at a hotel near Overpeck Park, in Leonia, New Jersey, where Columbia University's Spring season practices and sprint regattas are housed at their "Boathouse West."