Hyde Park, West Point and Washington's Headquarters in Newburgh NewYork

We stayed in Newburgh NY, on our way to Massachusetts from New Jersey.  We only spent a few days here, but what a great place to visit.  Since Covid restrictions were still in place, we were not able to visit everywhere we wanted, but we were able to at least visit the properties, if only walking the gr

Our first stop was Hyde Park, home of FDR's home and Presidential Library and Museum. As we suspected, the facilities were all closed.  Fortunately, the grounds were open.  We would have loved to visit the library and museum. FDR is one of our most respected Presidents, I am sure the facilities would be very informative, but it was not meant to be.  We were, however able to stand on the steps he was sworn in on, and walk the grounds he walked on.  I suspect if we come back to the area, we will try to visit this national park in the future. 

FDR Presidential Library and Museum

The Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum holds the records of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the 32nd President of the United States (1933–1945). Located on the grounds of Springwood, the Roosevelt family estate in Hyde Park, New York, the library was built under the President's personal direction in 1939-1940, and dedicated on June 30, 1941. It is the first presidential library in the United States and one of the thirteen presidential libraries under the auspices of the National Archives and Records Administion

Home to our 32nd and longest  serving president, Franklin D Roosevelt. 

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Dave standing on spot where FDR was sworn in as president. 

 

Burial Site of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt

Cottage behind Roosevelt's House where he would go for solitude

The Vanderbilt Mansion next to Roosevelts home in Hyde Park.  Also a National Park, this building was also closed.  It was beautiful, and the views were amazing. 

Washington's Headquarters

Newburgh New York

Our next stop was Newburgh New York, to visit Washington's Headquarters State Historic Site.  George Washington lived there while he was in command of the Continental Army during the final year of the American Revolutionary War; it had the longest tenure as his headquarters of any place he had used.
It is designated a state historic site. It is also the oldest house in the city of Newburgh, and the first property acquired and preserved by any U.S. state for historic reasons.

Unlike our other stops along the way, here we felt as though we won the lottery.  We had arrived early, and little did we know, only one group during the allotted time slot could tour the museum.  We were the group for the time slot.  We were given a wonderful personal tour of the home.  Our tour guide is actually a college student studying to be a history teacher.  What a great tour we received.  He was so enthusiastic and knowledgeable.  He showed us items that were original, and belonged to Washington.  He showed us where he slept, and where he worked during the day.  They spend a year here, waiting for the official end of the Revolutionary War.  

There was also a museum on the site. It was very interesting, and full of artifacts from the era, and also prior to the war.  We found this purse made from an armadillo very interesting. 

United States Military Academy West Point

While were in the neighbor hood, we decided to visit West Point.  While the grounds were closed, the museum was open.  We did take a tour of the museum, and enjoyed the drive along the Hudson.  

We had a great time while visiting the area.  I wish we were able to see more.  This is an area that would be great to visit when there are no Covid restrictions.