September 17, 2016
Eleanor Roosevelt's Val-Kill
Doris Mack, met Eleanor Roosevelt as a young girl, when her father took her to a NAACP event. She still volunteers here at the young age of 94 and only recently quit giving tours. I could have spent the whole day chatting with her.
Quite a lovely lady, she compares Michelle Obama to Eleanor Roosevelt. I agree.
Val-Kill is a special place that serves as a window into Eleanor Roosevelt's private and public life. Its understated beauty, natural setting, and unpretentious amenities may appear surprising to first-time visitors because of its simplicity; a vision that seems incongruous with expectations for the home of one of the most influential women in American history.
FDR purchased the parcel of land that would become Val-Kill in 1911. Eleanor became acquainted with the property in the early 1920's, utilizing the east bank of the Fall-Kill for picnicking. Known for their love of outdoor activity and informal gatherings, the Roosevelt's adopted the picnic spot as a favorite place away from the main house to relax in a secluded, natural setting.
The idea for Val-Kill stemmed from one of these picnics with Eleanor Roosevelt's close friends Marion Dickerman and Nancy Cook. During one lively discussion, FDR imagined small industries that could keep farming viable during hard economic times. Eleanor tested this idea. With FDR's consent, they decided to build a cottage and workshop. Financed with the women's income, Val-Kill Industries revived handcraft traditions suitable for family-owned farms. Handcrafts such as furniture-making, metalwork and weaving added income, especially in winter. As a skills training program, Val-Kill Industries later provided a model for New Deal recovery programs.
Once completed, the cottage became the nucleus of Franklin and Eleanor's overlapping network of friends and political associates. After FDR's death in 1945, Val-Kill became Mrs. Roosevelt's permanent home. In Val-Kill's tranquil setting, Mrs. Roosevelt continued the tradition of convening people who shared her vision. (copied from the park website)
The entrance to Eleanor's home is in the back. This building was the Val-Kill Industries workshop until it closed. Eleanor then had it remodeled to become home for her and her secretary. She moved here permanently after FDR's death.
Inside Val-Kill Cottage Eleanor's desk in the back of this room. She used it as her office and sitting room.
A spare bedroom
A number of guest bedrooms for visiting family and friends.
Eleanor's bedroom
Linens
EMN monogrammed towels. Eleanor, Marion, Nancy The three spent many days together.
Eleanor loved her children. The walls of her bedroom were filled with photographs of friends and family.
Her writing desk
The sleeping porch. The bed was built by Val-Kill Industries.
The dining room
The front door
When John F. Kennedy wanted her endorsement, they met here for that discussion.
A condolence letter from someone famous, but as you can see, I cut off the signature of the sender and don't remember who it was.
The swimming pool at Val-Kill
FDR letter offers Eleanor, Marion and Nancy a life interest in a 9 acre parcel for their joint use.
Preliminary sketch of Val-Kill. FDR became the architect and general contractor for the project.
Eleanor and Nancy Cook with Val-Kill craftsmen.
Nancy Cook, Marion Dickerman and Eleanor
The construction of Val-Kill
The finished product
The Stone Cottage..... The original building was occupied by Marion and Nancy full time and Eleanor when FDR was not home at Springwood
Eleanor and Nancy
Eleanor and one of the craftsman at Val-Kill Industries
Marion Dickerman the Suffragette
Had to come back, so Donna could get her photo with Doris. She learned the head tilt from Kari Elbe.
https://www.nps.gov/elro/
https://www2.gwu.edu/~erpapers/teachinger/
www.biography.com/people/eleanor-roosevelt
An Eleanor Quote I Love
"A woman is like a teabag; you never know how strong it is until it's in hot water"
Lunch at the Eveready Diner
http://www.theevereadydiner.com
When we got hungry, we looked for someplace to get lunch and spotted this place. There has to be some history here. It has been featured on TV and in Movies. The retro style continued inside. They serve breakfast all day, my favorite meal. They also serve a three cheese baked mac and cheese. That was tempting, too.
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