Welcome to another installment of “My Postcards of New York” travel series. Interested in Presidential history and a delectable meal? Look no further than a day trip to Hyde Park, New York and the Culinary Institute of America.
Hometown of our 32nd President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882-1945), Hyde Park is located in Dutchess County, New York, a 2 hour drive North of Manhattan. It borders the Hudson River north of Poughkeepsie and is a very tranquil and nice place to visit.
Roosevelt’s estate, Springwood, along with his wife Eleanor’s home, Val Kill Stone Cottage, the FDR Museum and the first Presidential Library of the United States are all located in Hyde Park and are part of the FDR National Historic Site.
And just a short ride away in Poughkeepsie is the main campus of the Culinary Institute of America, a four-year college for culinary and baking and pastry arts. Set in an idyllic setting, you can walk the campus grounds and dine in one of the several restaurants run completely by the students.
So are you interested in presidential history and a delectable meal? Join me and my husband on our day excursion to Hyde Park. But…
Before You Go..
- Buy a National Parks pass, if you don’t already have one.
- Visit Hyde Park’s website for tour information, operating hours etc..
- Book your CIA meal at one of their restaurants BEFORE you go. Don’t leave this up to chance. It can get quite booked up and reservations will ensure you get in.
A Brief History…
Before his death, Roosevelt donated his estate to the American people under the condition that his family maintained a “lifetime right to usage” of the property. Since 1945, the estate has been administered by the National Park Service. Covering more than one square mile, it is a National Historic Site. To read more about its history, visit:https://www.nps.gov/hofr/index.ht
Springwood Estate..
was the birthplace, lifelong home, and burial place of Franklin D. Roosevelt.
This place was a special place for FDR, somewhere he could renew his spirit during times of personal and political crisis. FDR’s historical house is now a museum. You can also browse the exhibits at the nation’s first Presidential Library and walk around the grounds which include a thousand acres of gardens and trails.
Franklin D. Roosevelt and Eleanor Roosevelt are both buried in the rose garden adjacent to the house.
FUN FACT: Hyde Park on Hudson, starring Bill Murray as FDR, was set in Springwood Estate although it was filmed in England.
FDR’s Private Retreat…
was named Top Cottage. Although Roosevelt had Springwood, he found it too busy for relaxation and privacy. So, in 1939, he designed and built a stone cottage a few miles east of it. Overlooking the Hudson River valley, it was appropriately named “Top Cottage.” It was designed to be fully accessible to him while in his wheelchair. Ramps, lower windows,i wider doors and hallways and ground floor living and bedroom spaces were all part of its design.
A bus tour included in our admission got us here. It’s quite interesting since you drive through residential streets until you reach this cottage.
FUNNY FACT: FDR entertained the King and Queen of England here on their first state side visit. The Park Ranger on staff that day shared this story. Supposedly, King George’s wife refused to get into a car with FDR since he supposedly drove quite fast up the winding hill so she walked up!
Val-Kill Stone Cottage…
was Eleanor Roosevelt’s home. Believe or not, Eleanor Roosevelt lived separately from her husband. She never felt comfortable at Springwood because FDR’s mother Sara continued to live there. So, in 1924, FDR granted to Eleanor and to two of her close friends, Marion Dickerman and Nancy Cook, a life interest in a piece of property known as “Val-Kill” (Dutch for “valley stream”) located about a mile from the Springwood estate.
After a “presidential morning,” we were ready for lunch. So off we went to the..
Culinary Institute of America
A short ride from FDR’s National Historic site, the CIA is a 4 year private university and training ground for upcoming chefs. The school includes 4 restaurants where all the food is cooked prepared and served by their students. We chose La Bocuse and it did not disappoint.
Kudos to the staff and students for a delicious lunch!
A glorious end to a beautiful day!
For more installments of “My Postcards of New York” travel series, visit:https://followmyyellowbrickroad.com/?page_id=3093