EileenSteed: Campobello, New Brunswick, Canada

This morning I took a drive to the summer home of the Roosevelt's on Campbell Island in New Brunswick, Canada. (Thanks Joann for the tip).

Driving along the upper east coast of the U.S. is the must see summer home of the Roosevelt’s, James and Sara, parents of Franklin Delano Roosevelt. They bought the home in 1883 when Franklin was a one-year old. This was their getaway from the hectic New York life. They spent summers here fishing, swimming, sailing and walking through the woods. As a young man, Franklin designed the golf course on the island, not to be deterred, the sheep farmers continued to graze their herds on the greens.

When Franklin and Eleanor married they spent time on the island enjoying the cool summers. FDR taught his children to sail, play games, and climb the cliffs just as he had as a child and Eleanor took them on nature hikes. The children would have lessons by a tutor each morning and then in the afternoon they would play or sail to nearby islands and have picnics. Sometimes they would take a three or four-day sailing trip around Passamarquody Bay or the Maine coast.

Then in 1921, at age 39, when Franklin was sailing he fell into the cold water and nearly drowned. They brought him back into the house. Complaining of a headache, sore back and neck he was diagnosed with Polio. After being immobilized for 5 weeks, they carried him off the island on stretcher to a waiting boat. From Eastport, Maine he was transported to New York City by train where he was taken to the hospital. He didn't return to Campobello until 1933, 1936, and 1939 when he was running for President. He loved seeing the people on the island and found strength from his visits there. Eleanor, their children, and then grandchildren continued to visit every summer until her death in 1962.

After her death, one of their children wanted to auction off the furnishings. Armand Hammer learned of the auction and found that the home was for sale too. He bought the house and the furnishings so they could be preserved for future generations. Thanks to this generous donation, the home and grounds are available for everyone to visit at no charge. All the furnishings except for a few items are original pieces.

This is the only international park owned jointly by the U.S. and Canada. The park was created jointly by President Johnson and Prime Minister Pearson in 1964 as a memorial to President Roosevelt. Stop by the vistors center to see a 15-minute movie on the Roosevelt family.

School Room in the house

Family Dining Room - on nice days they eat on the lawn out back

FDR and Eleanor's Bedroom

Kitchen

This is a Kerosene stove. Note the blue kerosene
cans on the bottom

This is the Annunciator on the kitchen wall. Eleanor would press a button in a room, the bell would sound and the arrow would turn up to indicate the room in which the button was pressed. Then the staff would attend to Eleanor in that room. Cool!