About This BlogWelcome to Viewshed: The Blog of Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites. Viewshed is a forum for stories related to the National Park Service sites of Hyde Park, New York, written by park employees, park partners, and guests. Here, you can read about our park’s museum collections, the life and times of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, the Gilded age culture in which the Vanderbilts thrived, as well as the people who work at our park to preserve and interpret these histories. We hope these posts leave you with a greater understanding of the National Historic Sites of Hyde Park, their histories, and their impact. Enjoy! The Employee Experience: Elizabeth Nicholson
September 10, 2021
Elizabeth Nicholson spent her summer as an intern in the National Park Service's Traditional Trades Apprenticeship Program. Among the biggest projects that she, fellow intern Marie, and Roosevelt-Vanderbilt maintenance staff completed was replacing the roof on the large ice house at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site. Read on to learn more about this project and other experiences Elizabeth had at the park this summer. The 1936 Berlin Olympics and the Controversy of U.S. Participation
July 24, 2021
The Olympic Games are meant to promote cooperation and peace between participating countries. This is not always the case, however, as shown by the 1936 Olympic Games in Berlin, Germany. Read on to learn more about the controversies surrounding the Games and how sports and politics collided on the eve of World War II. Franklin D. Roosevelt: Tree Farmer
June 23, 2021
Among Franklin D. Roosevelt's many passions were trees and conservation. He grew a wide variety of trees on his estate in Hyde Park and considered himself to be a "tree farmer." Read on to learn more about this life-long interest of our 32nd President's! Gilded Age Fashion
May 12, 2021
Ever wonder what wealthy people like the Vanderbilt's wore during the Gilded Age? Check out this blog post to learn more about the styles of this lavish era. The Employee Experience: Franceska Macsali-Urbin
April 18, 2021
This year for National Park Week, we highlight the career of Franceska Macsali-Urbin, Supervisory Park Ranger here at Roosevelt-Vanderbilt National Historic Sites. Fran is one of our longest-tenured employees, and was part of the team that prepared Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site (Val-Kill) for public visitation. Below are some memories from her career with the National Park Service to kick off our blog series that will feature park employees: The Employee Experience The Dying President
April 10, 2021
April 12, 2021 marks the 76th anniversary of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt's death. This timeline chronicles FDR's long final illness, what was perhaps the greatest challenge of his very difficult presidency. Women's History Month Spotlight: Beatrix Jones Farrand
March 13, 2021
This Women's History Month, we highlight one of the most influential landscape architects of the 20th century: Beatrix Jones Farrand. One of the more than 200 gardens that she designed during her prolific career is here in Hyde Park at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site! |
Last updated: February 22, 2023