HISTORY

Roosevelt House, a double townhouse located at 47-49 East 65th Street, was promised as a wedding gift from Sara Delano Roosevelt to her son, Franklin, and his new bride, Eleanor.  In 1908, Franklin and Eleanor Moved into No. 49 with their children and Sara took up residence at No. 47.  At Roosevelt House, Franklin began his storied political career, rising from New York State Senator and U.S. Assistant Secretary of the Navy to Governor of New York and President of the United States. Here he also renewed his strength and optimism after polio left him unable to walk.

Eleanor’s first forays into public life and politics also began at Roosevelt House. Her lifelong commitment to civil liberties and social progress animated her work in support of Franklin’s political career and her later leadership role as a powerful global advocate for human rights.

Many important visitors came through the doors of Roosevelt House during the time the Roosevelt family lived there.  Sara Roosevelt hosted Mary McLeod Bethune, African-American leader and college president.  Franklin Delano Roosevelt assembled his first cabinet after his election as president and offered positions to his administration to Frances Perkins, first woman in the cabinet, Harold Ikes and Henry Morgenthau.

The Roosevelts also became actively involved with their neighbor, Hunter College. When in town Eleanor often walked over to visit with students and speak at special events, an attachment that would endure to the end of her life. In 1940, President Roosevelt dedicated the new Hunter building, constructed with WPA funds, on Park Avenue. When Sara died in 1941, the family put the combined house up for sale. A nonprofit consortium, organized on behalf of Hunter student groups, agreed to buy it. President Roosevelt lowered the price to make the building affordable.

In November 1943, Eleanor attended the dedication of the house, honoring Sara Delano Roosevelt’s commitment to interfaith and interracial understanding. In the words of one alumna, Eleanor remained a mentor to Hunter students for many years and “an optimistic galvanizing force for activism and political commitment.”