Friday, Dec 1, 2006
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic site, which has been closed for the past ten months due to a major construction project to improve the public areas of the site, has reopened to the public.
The fee collection area, bookstore, restrooms and film viewing area (the Playhouse) have been redesigned to enhance the visitor experience at Val-Kill. The north side of the Playhouse was restored to its historic appearance, requiring removal of elements that were added to the building after Eleanor Roosevelt’s death. Redesigning portions of the building’s interior created space for exhibits featuring the life and legacy of Eleanor Roosevelt.
The first featured exhibit at Val-Kill is a sampling of photographs of Mrs. Roosevelt that were taken by her physician, friend and traveling companion, Dr. A. David Gurewitsch. Entitled “Simple and Direct,” the photographs focus on her life in Hyde Park, but also include some of her travels. They are scheduled to be on display for about a year.
A new introductory film about Mrs. Roosevelt’s life, entitled “Close To Home,” has replaced the video that dated back to the time when the site was dedicated in 1984. Directed by Anne Makepeace, a producer of documentary films for PBS, the 15-minute movie features the words of Eleanor Roosevelt either spoken by her or by the actress Jane Alexander, who portrayed Mrs. Roosevelt in the made for television productions “Eleanor and Franklin” and “Eleanor and Franklin: The White House Years.”
“Close To Home” was made possible by the generosity of the park’s partner organization, Save America’s Treasure’s Saving Val-Kill: Honoring Eleanor Roosevelt.
The refurbished bookstore has many new and interesting products that relate to the Roosevelts and the Hudson Valley and is now open for holiday shopping.
In addition to the work done on the public spaces, asbestos removal from the basements of Mrs. Roosevelt’s former home and abatement of the mold and dampness in those areas has been completed. These projects were essential to the maintenance and preservation of the historic structure.
“We hope the public will take the opportunity to view the new photograph exhibit and enjoy the improvements that we have made at the site,” said superintendent Sarah Olson.
Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site is open 9 to 5, Thursday through Monday, from November through April, and seven days a week from May through October. It will be decorated for the holiday season from December 1st through January 1st. An evening open house is scheduled for Saturday, December 9th, from 6 to 9. The site is closed Thanksgiving Day, Christmas and New Years Day.
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