Eleanor Roosevelt’s legacy in human rights and world peace emerged from this simple place. Val-Kill, her main home from 1945 until she died in 1962,

nourished her personal freedom and political inde- Where . . . do universal 1913–19 FDR Assistant 1927–29 ER, Nancy Cook, 1934 Joins National Urban 1942–44 ER travels to Britain, pendence. She described Val-Kill as the place “where human rights begin? In small Secretary of the Navy. Family and Marion Dickerman discuss League and NAACP; urges South Pacific, Caribbean, and places, close to home . . . . moves to Washington, DC. US FDR’s concern for national FDR to create National Youth South America to visit troops, I used to find myself and grow.” Unless these rights have enters World War I in 1917. ER trend of farmers leaving rural Administration; promotes fair- hospitals. Netherlands Queen meaning there, they have little helps set up US Navy Red Cross areas for city jobs. Cook sug- ness across gender and race Wilhelmina and family escape Her great accomplishment, From its mid-1920s creation, Val-Kill was Eleanor meaning anywhere. Canteen. Travels post-war gests Val-Kill furniture cot- lines. Hitler and come to North at the UN. Europe: “the picture of desola- tage industry to employ local America, often visiting at Val- © UNITED NATIONS PHOTO Roosevelt’s place to gather family, friends, and associ- 1884 Anna Eleanor Roosevelt tion fostered in me an undying farmers in slack season; master 1936 Val-Kill Industries closes. Kill. ER hosts annual picnics ates, picnic, walk in the woods, ride horses, and swim. (ER) born October 11, New hate of war . . . .” Supports cabinetmakers teach skills in ER remodels Val-Kill factory for youth, including Wiltwyck York City, to Elliott and Anna League of Nations and World shop/factory built behind cot- as 20-room house with apart- School for disadvantaged boys Built on land her husband, Franklin Delano Roos- Hall Roosevelt, prominent Court. tage. Forge built to make pewter ment for Malvina “Tommy” and Hudson Shore Labor National Park Service Park National U.S. Department of the Interior evelt (FDR), owned, two miles from the “big house,” members of New York society. items; weaving shop creates Thompson, her secretary 1929– School for girls. 1920 Val-Kill was both a retreat and center of advocacy Campaigns for FDR’s jobs for women. ER markets 53. Family, friends, associates, 1952–53 Resigns from UN as Hyde Park estate. President 1892 Mother dies. ER and unsuccessful vice presidential products. and journalists picnic and swim 1945 FDR dies in Warm Dwight Eisenhower is elected Kennedy, Vice President and activism. Here, she tested progressive ideas, dis- brothers Hall and Elliott Jr. sent run on Democratic ticket. 19th at Val-Kill. Syndicates “My Springs, GA, April 12. ER tells president; remains active in Johnson, and former cussed controversial issues, and inspired students to live with Grandmother Hall Amendment gives women the 1928–30 FDR elected NY Day” column on national issues press “the story is over.” WWII American Association of the Presidents Eisenhower and in Tivoli, NY; Elliott Jr., dies vote; ER joins League of Governor, two terms. ER travels and daily observations. ends. ER divides time between UN; hosts members at Val-Kill. Truman attend funeral. and civil rights and labor leaders to debate and orga- 1893; father dies 1894. Women Voters. state; alerts FDR to conditions Val-Kill and NYC. Visits Middle East and Asia. nize. She welcomed world leaders, hosted United Na- to improve. 1929 stock market The cottage was . . . mine and . . . she embodied the vision 1899 Age 15, sent to 1921–23 1946 1954–56 and the will to achieve a tions (UN) colleagues, and lobbied politicians. She Joins Women’s Trade crash triggers Great Depression. I felt freer there than in the President Truman Urges rapid school Allenswood School, England, Union League. After FDR big house. names ER delegate to General integration after Brown v. Board world in which all men walk shed new light on democracy; social, economic, and “happiest time in my life.” contracts polio, she helps him 1932 FDR elected US Presi- Assembly to organize the UN of Education. Hosts Yugoslavia’s in peace and dignity. And political justice; and peace with her prolific writing Headmistress Mlle. Souvestre return to public life. Political dent, first of four terms. ER 1939 Britain’s Prime Minister envisioned by FDR; serves on Marshal Tito and Ethiopia’s it was to this goal, a better instills confidence, indepen- veterans Nancy Cook, and champions social and economic Winston Churchill and King Committee Three for Social, Emperor Haile Selassie. Works life, that she gave her tireless and gatherings of diverse people. dence, and social conscience. Marion Dickerman, Women’s justice and civil rights. Is criti- George VI and Queen Elizabeth Humanitarian, and Cultural to nominate Adlai Stevenson energy, the strange strength NY Democratic Committee, cized for mistakes associated visit. World War II begins in Affairs. as Democratic candidate for of her extraordinary per- 1903 Works with Junior sonality . . . and kindled Eleanor Roosevelt championed social welfare and become ER mentors and friends. with New Deal projects to pro- Europe, September 1939. president. League teaching immigrant vide training, jobs, housing, and … the only woman in the hope where none had ever civil rights, wielding influence through FDR and on children exercise and dance 1924–26 Val-Kill is built education. ER resigns from Daughters of delegation, I was not very 1957–59 flamed. Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site Historic National Roosevelt Eleanor New York Interviews Premier her own. Her Val-Kill Industries experiment, training at Rivington Street Settlement along Fall-Kill stream. FDR the American Revolution when welcome. Nikita Khrushchev in Soviet Adlai Stevenson, 1964 House, Lower East Side, NYC. helps design cottage for ER, I’m the agitator; he’s the it won’t let African American Union for New York Post; they out-of-work rural folk in traditional crafts, was a Cook and Dickerman. ER edits politician. opera singer Marion Anderson 1947 Chairs UN Human differ on disarmament, other 1970–75 Roosevelt family prototype for national New Deal projects. She trav- 1905 Marries distant cousin Women’s Democratic News. perform in Constitution Hall, Rights Commis­sion; com- issues. Khrushchev visits sells Val-Kill. In 1975, Hyde Franklin Delano Roosevelt Washington, DC. ER helps mission drafts declaration of Park residents form Val-Kill eled widely as first lady to witness US poverty and ER at Val-Kill. ER TV show March 17; ER’s uncle, President At Val-Kill I emerged get concert and broadcast for human rights. “Prospects of Mankind” airs Cottage Committee to pro- labor conditions, and the ravages of World War II Theodore Roosevelt, gives the as an individual. Anderson at Lincoln Memorial. social issues until 1962. mote preservation of site to 1948 abroad. After FDR’s death in 1945, she supported bride away. Couple lives in UN General Assembly honor ER. Manhattan rental and Hyde 1941 Japanese attack Pearl adopts Universal Declaration 1960–61 Democratic nominee humanitarian causes. She led the UN Human Rights Park, home of FDR’s mother, Harbor, HI, Dec. 7; US enters of Human Rights (UDHR); John F. Kennedy seeks ER’s 1977 Eleanor Roosevelt Commission in the landmark Universal Declaration Sara Delano Roosevelt. WW II. ER addresses nation delegates give unprecedented support. President Kennedy National Historic Site made before her radio program— standing ovation. ER’s proudest a National Park Service area. of Human Rights. One of the most powerful and ad- reappoints ER to UN del- 1906 First child, Anna, born. “whatever is asked of us I am achievement. egation; she chairs President’s Committee forms Eleanor mired women of her time, her call for “equal justice, In next 10 years, ER gives birth sure we can accomplish . . . free Commission on Status of Roosevelt Center at Val-Kill, 1949–51 equal opportunity, equal dignity without discrimina- to five sons: James, Franklin Jr. and unconquerable people of At Val-Kill, French Women, hosts organizational providing programs that con- (dies at eight months), Elliott, the United States of America.” President Auriol decorates ER meeting at Val-Kill. tinue her legacy. tion” for all still resonates and inspires today. Franklin Jr., and John. as Commander of the Order of the Legion of Honor. ER hosts 1962 Eleanor Roosevelt, 78, 1984 Eleanor Roosevelt 1910 FDR elected NY state With FDR, 1933, in Prime Minister Nehru of India. dies Nov. 7 in NYC; buried National Historic Site dedicat- senator. their presidential ed and opened to the public. years. beside FDR in rose garden at FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY Public service, whether my husband was in or out of She wrote 27 books, many at office, was to be a daily part her Val-Kill of our life from now on. home. NPS

On duty at the United Nations. © UNITED NATIONS PHOTO

Val-Kill Industries Global Diplomacy Family Retreat and Home

In 1926, Eleanor and friends Nancy Cook, Marion Dickerman, and When her husband contracted polio and was unable to walk Val-Kill became a family retreat and later a place to entertain Caroline O’Day founded Val-Kill Industries. Conceived as a social unaided, Eleanor helped FDR get back into public life. She trav- foreign leaders in laid-back American style. In 1936, the Val-Kill experiment, it was designed to provide local farmers and their eled widely, in New York state when he was governor and later factory was redone as Eleanor’s home, and that of her secretary families with necessary crafting skills to supplement their in- across the nation when he was president. She researched and in- Malvina ”Tommy” Thompson. It was a place to entertain come. The program taught marketable skills and made a range vestigated problems needing his executive attention. FDR bene- friends, political associates, and foreign leaders in a relaxed, of furniture and pewter products. Later New Deal programs fitted greatly from her humanitarian and social justice commit- Roosevelt style. Eleanor wrote many of her 27 books, 2,500 were based on this model. Eleanor marketed Val-Kill’s products. ments. She faced criticism and threats for her stands on racial articles, and over 550 columns here. Politicians journeyed here justice and other sensitive social issues. She continued this work to seek her support and advice. throughout her life and became one of the most beloved figures of her time.

Craftsmen working With British Prime Serving hot dogs First Lady of the at Val-Kill Industries Minister Winston at one of her World (right); with and trademark. Churchill (left) and picnics (left). Wiltwyck School FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY students (below). NPS boys (below left). NPS FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY

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Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor Roosevelt Eleanor Roosvelt Stone Cottage © YOUSUF KARSH © MICHELLE BETTWY 4

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Hosting students Supporting the New Deal’s Reading to her granddaughters. Sleighing with daughter Anna. from the Wiltwyck 2 National Relief Agency. Swimming with FDR, Missy Friends and associates join FDR School. LeHand, and Earl Miller. and ER for picnic at Val-Kill. Strolling by the pond with her companions. Walking with her granddaughters.

Stable/Garage

Standing by the Fall-Kill, Dutch for ”valley stream.”

Cutting Garden

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Playhouse

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V A L - K I L L P O N D Swimming Pool

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MAP ART BY POWER ENGINEERS

Welcome to Eleanor Roosevelt’s In Val-Kill see the room where For information on visiting hours, MORE INFORMATION NEARBY ATTRACTIONS OUR PARTNERS home. Relax in the serenity of the Eleanor hosted friends and digni- fees, and tour times, call or visit Eleanor Roosevelt (see map at left) gardens and woodland trails. See taries, and where Democratic our website. National Historic Site Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Center / ervk.org the film ”Close to Home” in the presidential nominee John F. Ken- 4097 Albany Post Road Vanderbilt Mansion Playhouse. Explore the grounds— nedy came to seek her support. CAUTION Hyde Park, NY 12538 National Historic Site Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Part- outbuildings, swimming pool, She consented after he agreed to Stay on trails in woods to avoid 845-229-9115 nership / eleanorvalkillpartner- and Val-Kill pond—where family, make civil rights part of his plat- poison ivy and ticks. www.nps.gov/elro Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt ship.org friends, and dignitaries were en- form. Here she wrote many National Historic Site tertained. Tour Val-Kill Cottage books, articles, and columns that ACCESSIBILITY This is one of over 400 parks in Roosevelt-Vanderbilt Historical and Stone Cottage to experience championed human rights, wom- We strive to make facilities and the Na­tional Park System. Learn Franklin D. Roosevelt Association / rooseveltvander- bilt.org the home of the most prominent en’s rights, worker’s rights, and services accessible to all. For in- more about national parks and Presidential Library and Museum American woman of her time. regulation of working conditions. formation ask a ranger, see our National Park Service programs in website, or call. America’s communities at www.

Discovering Val-Kill Eleanor Roosevelt at Val-Kill, 1948. nps.gov. ✩GPO:20xx—xxx-xxx/xxxxx New in 20xx Printed on recycled paper. ALL PHOTOS FDR PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY