Life on the Hudson- Hyde Park

Aug.23rd: HYDE PARK

Our day at Hyde Park was truly memorable. We docked at Rogers Point Boat Club early in the morning and were warmly welcomed by members setting up for their annual clam bake. Since we knew this would be a long day ending in a formal dinner we dressed up, called a cab and were at our first destination—the Vanderbilt Mansion—by 11:00. This “Great House” which is the focal point of a vast estate, is filled with formal, uncomfortable looking furnishings characteristic of the “gilded age”. Despite its excessive opulence however, this house is certainly impressive. And the amount of money that would’ve been needed to build and maintain it is incredible.
Two miles away is the Roosevelt Estate which was our next stop. We began at Eleanors cottage, Valkill, a far cry from the Vanderbilt digs. This humble home was furnished with the type and quality of things one usually finds at jumble sales and second hand shops! But, as evidenced by photos covering its simple pine walls, Eleanor entertained many important dignitaries of the day here, including JFK who came to seek her support for his presidential run. Eleanor Roosevelt was a powerful woman whose influence on American politics and history is not adequately recognized.

We were scheduled to tour the home of JD Roosevelt an hour after Valkill but were horrified to discover that it was more than 3 miles away! Without a car, and no taxis available, we were forced to “hot foot it” through a trail connecting the two properties. This “so-called” short-cut was anything but! It wound through a dense forest, up and down stony hills and just about when we though we’d be wandering these woods forever, we emerged at a busy highway. Exhausted, thirsty, and limping after Vince with a blistered toe, I finally caught up with him at an apple tree just inside the estate. We picked 2 pieces of fruit, hungrily devoured them, and managed to join the tour group with only minutes to spare. Once in the house I got a 2nd wind but Vince was totally shot and happy to call a cab when it ended and move on in comfort to our last and final destination of the day—the incredible “Culinary Institute of America”—where we had reservations for dinner!