FDR's Springwood To Close For Part Of 2020

HYDE PARK, NY — If you haven't been yet or recently, you probably should visit the home of Franklin D. Roosevelt — Springwood — while you can because it will be closed for part of 2020 for extensive renovations. A press release from the Roosevelt Vanderbilt Historic Sites said during the next calendar year the FDR National Historic Site will be engaged in numerous contracts affecting both the interior and exterior of the mansion.

Because these activities will be highly disruptive to the park's ability to provide adequate visitor services to Springwood, the park has decided to close the mansion to all tours from April 1, 2020, to Oct. 31, 2020.

That will ensure visitor safety and effective management of the construction activities.

The dates were chosen so the majority of the work will be completed during the warmer months, officials said.

If the work is substantially completed earlier than the end of October, then the home will reopen as soon as is practical.

The projects include a full HVAC replacement, a full fire alarm and intrusion system update, exterior painting, repair and rehab of balustrades and interior plaster repairs.

The projects are fully funded and will cost $3.2 million.

In addition, officials said the park is looking into capitalizing on the opportunity of a limited closure by performing additional work which cannot be performed during the course of normal operations.

The additional work includes the interior painting of visitor spaces, conservation of pictures frames, conservation treatment of family books, deep cleaning of interior spaces and photo documentation and re-cataloging.

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