FDR Library Education Specialist Jeffrey Urbin tells the story of the Pack Horse Library initiative, a little known program of the Roosevelt Administration's WPA. Its mission, carried out almost entirely by women, was to deliver and distribute reading materials to the far off corners of Appalachia during the darkest hours of the Great Depression.

The annual reading festival continues this year in a live virtual format. Featured authors include Eric Rauchway, John A. Riggs, Jan Jarboe Russell, David Levering Lewis, Neville Thompson, and Howard Blum.

Author Catherine Grace Katz and FDR Library Director Paul Sparrow discuss the influential roles played by Anna Roosevelt Boettiger, Sarah Churchill, and Kathleen Harriman, the daughters of FDR, Winston Churchill, and Averell Harriman, at the most important conference of World War II.

Author John F. Sears talks to FDR Supervisory Archivist Kirsten Carter about his new book Refuge Must Be Given: Eleanor Roosevelt, the Jewish Plight, and the Founding of Israel, and examines Eleanor's relationship with the Jews, describing how she became a champion of Israel in the United States.

Historian Andrew Roberts examines the relationships between the political and military leaders of the United States and Britain during World War II, profiling Prime Minister Winston Churchill, President Franklin D. Roosevelt, General Sir Alan Brooke, and General George C. Marshall and describes their strategic conversations and debates.

The Roosevelts' four sons — James, Elliott, Franklin Jr., and John — all served in America's military during World War II. FDR kept this framed leather folder with their photographs on his Oval Office desk.

Mrs. Roosevelt posed in front of cameras and a microphone at the headquarters of the American Red Cross near the White House. She was making an appeal for contributions to the $10,000,000 relief fund established to aid civilians and wounded in the European war. Behind Mrs. Roosevelt stands R. Tait McKenzie's sculpture honoring Jane Delano and the nursing profession.

Gus Siko, one of the original FDR Library staff members, was one of only four National Archives employees to die on active duty during World War II. Let’s celebrate his brief but eventful life, for Gus was above all a natural athlete who loved playing sports and excelled at them.

During World War II, “service flags” like this were displayed in many American homes. A blue star indicated a family member was serving in the military, and a gold that a family member died while in service. This flag honors FDR Library staff who served in the military.

Troops and civilians await FDR. He arrives and reviews the troops including wounded.

Silent film footage from the FDR Library Archives. (Video, 20:26 minutes)

Interested in participating in archeological monitoring assessments and resource stewardship in the national parks in Hyde Park and Kinderhook, NY?

Community Volunteer Ambassador

Northeast Archeological Resources Program