While most of the world fixated on two presidents for a variety of reasons, some not so good, last week I explored two earlier presidents who hailed from New York. My wife and daughter like brief jaunts to the Hudson Valley and this one featured visits to Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) Library and Museum and National Historic Site in Hyde Park and the Martin Van Buren National Historic Site in Kinderhook. Interestingly, both presidents connect to my life. I attended Martin Van Buren High School and my Knights of Pythias lodge is named after FDR.

The FDR museum is must-see. It is one thing reading about the only four-term president and another experiencing him through the museum, reading his inaugural address and the various exhibits; I found his domestic policies so in sync with my own view. I found, viewed and enjoyed many interactive exhibits including one on D-Day.

I always knew Van Buren was vice president under Andrew Jackson and succeeded “Old Hickory.” I only learned while at his homestead how integral a role he played as top advisor to Jackson: Campaign Manager and Secretary of State and chief architect of his policies. Also learned that he lost the Democratic to nomination James K. Polk in 1844 and lost as candidate of the Free Soil Party in 1848.

What was really cool was how self-effacing this political figure was; he collected and framed the political cartoons lampooning him (See video link below.). His home was his base of operations and also a successful working farm.

The visit also featured a French dinner at the Culinary Institute of America and a wine-tasting and later lunch at the Hudson Chatham Winery.

Marisa did much of the driving but I drove from the site of Lindenwald as Van Buren’s home is called to the winery and from there back to our hotel in Poughkeepsie. 

For my drive, I appropriately employed my newest playlist that I created in advance of this year’s Independence Day themed for 4^th of July observances.