2016 Travel Guide to Hyde Park in Poughkeepsie // a Journey Through the Lifestyles of the Roosevelts' & Vanderbilts'

2016 Travel Guide to Hyde Park in Poughkeepsie // a Journey Through the Lifestyles of the Roosevelts’ & Vanderbilts’

I’ve been getting a lot of questions about weekend getaways and day trips from my East Coast doosts, so I’ve teamed up with the Dutchess Tourism board to bring you some great specials, tips, and so much more! In the last week of April, I took a day trip to Hyde Park in Poughkeepsie, NY with my friend and fellow blogger Ellese Launer from Rock. Paper. Glam ♥

Tip: Traveling is good for you & in my case necessary. So whether it’s one day or a few that you can take off, explore your own backyard — see what there is to do nearby and make a trip out of it! I suggest Googling the name of the town/place with bloggers — so instead of searching “Hyde Park” search like so: “Hyde Park bloggers” — I find I get better tips and information from bloggers rather than sites which instead seem too commercialized for my taste.

Gina Doost, Ellese Launer, Hyde Park

Welcome to Poughkeepsie ♥ below is a video I created using my Snapchat story (follow me @WhatTheDoost). It’s my first one so please bare with me and its amateur likeness … sound and all … they will get better ☺

We visited a few national historic sites that included the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt, the first presidential library dedicated to the public, FDR and Eleanor’s cottage (aka Val-Kill) where she spent the remainder of her life after FDR’s death fighting for economic and social justice. We also took a trip to the Vanderbilt’s Mansion along the Hudson River. Our journey was wonderful, filled with history and heritage.

A great and quick getaway for all my East Coast doosts, especially if you’re a history geek like us and love the peaceful scenery of nature. With a population of about 25-30K, this town is so friendly, everyone I met had a deep passion for Hyde Park, which says a lot!

 

Did you know? FDR spent most his life in Hyde Park. It was the birthplace, home, and resting place of FDR and Eleanor — along with their two dogs.

 

Tip: Amtrak is doing a special for $60 round trip each person — valid up till October 31, 2016 — on Empire Service train #281 and Adirondack train #68 for travelers between New York, NY and Rhinecliff, NY.

 

From now until October 31st — you can catch the Roosevelt bus/shuttle for free. We took the 8:46 am train from Grand Central. The Roosevelt shuttle will be waiting for you as soon as you step outside the station.

 

 

Did you know? The garden was the source of the Roosevelts’ income — it put the food on the table (literally). Currently, the garden is being restored to include vegetables so visitors can get a taste of the locally sourced produce that fed FDR and his family.

 

I hope we will grow in knowledge of the use of food, for it is one of the important things in life of every child and every adult.
— Eleanor Roosevelt, 1945

 

Tip: The 75th anniversary of FDR’s Presidential Library and Museum is happening Thursday June 30, 2016 through the end of the weekend, July 2nd.

 

Doost, FDR home map
Did you know? This library was the first presidential one of its kind — FDR was the first president to declare his papers as public. President Roosevelt’s belief that the government’s purpose is to serve the people launched an institution that has educated and inspired generations. It truly was an “Act of Faith” as he so eloquently put it.

 

In the library, there are written letters from all spectrums of perceptions from the US people — lovers and haters of the Roosevelt family — to help visitors learn and better understand the bigger picture of FDR’s legacy. Hyde Park is truly an inspiring historical landmark

 

The library features both home and presidential artifacts — a gallery of family portraits — and yes even a lock of FDR’s hair. Also a section of the couples love affairs/speculations. Eleanor is linked to a woman or two #respect!

 

Did you know? FDR’s drafts are very fascinating to study. His word use is interesting — see how he crossed out some words and replaced them with others, like “simultaneously” changed to “suddenly”? He was a master at word play.  Check out where he crossed out “world history” and replaced it with the word “infamy” — doesn’t that ring a bell somewhere?

 

Doost, FDR speech
Did you know?  FDR loved quirky nicknacks, books, trinkets, ship models, he collected a lot.

FDR home, Hyde Park, Doost

Eleanor Roosevelt loved making people feel comfortable within her home. After FDR passed, Van Kill Cottage became her home where she brought people here to discuss important matters that were life-changing for society many years down the line, matters such as basic human rights! That’s her friend Doris Mack in teh video sharing some stories of Eleanor, their relationship, and family.

 

Did you know? Eleanor kept mismatched furniture cause it made people feel more comfortable. I love this cause I do it too. Well done Eleanor, well done.

 

The Vanderbilt’s summer home — with 54 rooms this was considered their smallest mansion. Owned by Frederick — they had a reputation for treating their servants very well. They knew that without them the lifestyle they were accustomed to wouldn’t exist. The help were mentioned in his will and were left a significant sum. Below are some more interior shots of the mansion:

Vanderbilt mansion, Hyde Park, Doost Vanderbilt mansion 3, Hyde Park, Doost Vanderbilt mansion 2, Hyde Park, Doost

Doosts, I hope you enjoyed this — as always please DM or leave a comment below. I’m always happy to assist with traveling plans if you need to get in touch ♥