In this issue: Common Ground: Human Rights Close to Home; Hudson Valley Ice Yachts; See an Original Draft of the UDHR for a Limited Time; Christmas with the Roosevelts; Bell of San Michele #FDRtheCollector; Making His List and Checking It Twice.
It’s been 75 years since the United Nations approved the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, an effort led by Eleanor Roosevelt in the belief that world peace can only be achieved through the honoring the human rights of every individual. Amy Bracewell, Superintendent of Roosevelt, Vanderbilt, and Van Buren National Historic Sites, and William Harris, Director of the FDR Presidential Library talk about this great accomplishment from Val-Kill, the home of Eleanor Roosevelt.
Seasonal exhibit
Hudson Valley Ice Yachts
Dec 21, 2023 - Jan 7, 2023
9am-5pm ET
Henry A. Wallace Center
The FDR Presidential Library is delighted to host a display of authentic Hudson Valley Ice Yachts - including KRISS (pictured right), built for FDR's uncle John Aspinwall Roosevelt -- The display is presented by the Hudson River Ice Yacht Preservation Trust and Hudson River Ice Yacht Club. Free to the public.
From the Archives
Original Draft of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights
December 7-29, 2023
The FDR Library will offer a rare public glimpse of Eleanor Roosevelt's original draft of the UDHR, pulled from the archival vaults for a limited time only.
We are proud to announce this exhibit has received a 2023 Award for Excellence from the Greater Hudson Heritage Network.
A special exhibition developed in collaboration with a distinguished committee of scholars that centers on the historical voices of many Black community leaders, wartime service members, and ordinary citizens who engaged the Roosevelt administration directly and who pushed for progress. Within this context, the exhibit examines the political evolution of both Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt regarding racial justice.
FDR and Eleanor made a special holiday of Christmas every year. FDR Library Director William Harris invites you into the President's study for a look through some of their holiday memories held in the Archives.
For Christmas 1944, the people of Capri gifted President Roosevelt the Bell of San Michele cast from bronze and silver German coins after the island's liberation in 1943. It was rung at the National Archives building on V-E and V-J Days in 1945.
The holiday season brings about the list maker in all of us, well, at least in those of us who give gifts — or make lists. The President certainly took a hands-on approach to the Christmas season. We’ve highlighted the gifts he bestowed in bulk to staff and political associates online.
"Whatever our individual circumstances or opportunities, we are all in it, and our spirit is good... and do not let anyone tell you anything different." FDR, Oct 12, 1942, fireside chat.
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FDR Presidential Library | 4079 Albany Post Road, Hyde Park, NY 12538
