Explore This Park

A Year of Sounds & Stories

Hear from the people who bring these historic sites alive.
The park's oral history collection includes recorded interviews with family members, local friends, estate employees and neighbors. These stories provide human interest, historical benefit, and verifiable detail about the Roosevelts and Vanderbilts. Their recollections and personal experiences are important to the interpretation and understanding of our history.

These audio clips are part of A Year of Sounds & Stories. Funding for this project was made possible through a grant from The Institute of Museum and Library Services. To hear more stories from this project visit A Year of Sounds & Stories.

You can also access our audio files on SoundCloud and HistoryPin.

 

Photo Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Hyde Park, New York.

He's Going To Be President Someday

John Clay, a painter employed by Sara Delano and James Roosevelt to paint Springwood, remembers one of his encounters with FDR as a child. Clay is impressed by FDR's father's foresight.

 

Photo Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Hyde Park, New York

Riding A Donkey With FDR

John Clay, a painter employed by Sara Delano and James Roosevelt to paint Springwood, remembers one of his encounters with FDR as a child. FDR had a donkey, and one day he offered Mr. Clay a ride.

 

National Park Service

The Water Put Me Here, The Water Has To Bring Me Back

Louis Depew, longtime employee of Franklin Delano Roosevelt- his chauffeur. Depew tells a story about FDR's attempts to recover from his infantile paralysis.

 

National Park Service

You Don't Give A Boy A Doll

Willis Draiss, son of a Roosevelt household employee, tells a story of getting a gift from Eleanor Roosevelt.

 

Photo Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Hyde Park, New York

A Hundred Dollar Beef Stew

Lester Entrup, employee of Eleanor Roosevelt at her home Val-Kill, describes how Eleanor Roosevelt entertained for visiting dignitaries and important people. Eleanor Roosevelt was known for her casual entertaining style.

 

LBJ Library Photo by Yoichi Okamoto

Lady Bird's Chili Recipe

Lester Entrup, household employee of Eleanor Roosevelt at her home Val-Kill, tells a story involving his wife Marge Entrup and a visit from LadyBird Johnson. Marge Entrup was head cook, and very protective of her recipes.

 

Photo Courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum, Hyde Park, New York

Marge, what are we having for dinner?

Lester Entrup, household employee at Eleanor Roosevelt's home at Val-Kill, describes Eleanor's entertaining style and fondness for carbohydrates. Lester Entrup's wife, Marge Entrup, was Eleanor Roosevelt's head cook at her home at Val-Kill.