Franklin Roosevelt had a lifelong affection for pets. His best known was Fala, a Scottish terrier who became his constant companion and the most famous dog in America. Explore Fala-related museum artifacts with Supervisory Curator Herman Eberhardt.

Learn how the Roosevelts found comfort and relief from the suffering and uncertainty of the Great Depression and World War II through the simple act of picnicking with family, friends, and even royalty.

This smoke-stained sculpture of Huckleberry Finn eating a hot dog once hung over the large stone picnic fireplace at Val-Kill.

One of the Roosevelt family’s favorite summer time foods was the American classic, a good old fashioned hot dog! One time the Roosevelts had the King and Queen of England for a picnic in Hyde Park, and yes, they even served them hot dogs!

What are some of your favorite outdoor party activities? Grilling hot dogs? A dramatic reading? Cheating at an egg and spoon race? Ring-Around-the-Rosie? Making vegetable dolls? A bout of “Are you There Moriarty?” There’s nothing like a Roosevelt picnic!