Roosevelt
Campobello International Park
Campobello
Island
New
Brunswick, Canada
September 17, 1999
If 
someone had asked me where Franklin Delano
Roosevelt's summer home (Campobello) was, I certainly wouldn't
have thought it was in Canada. But, when we visited Lubec, Maine,
we saw signs showing Campobello and leading to a bridge that went
out over the water to Campobello Island. As we crossed the bridge
(at the Canadian side) we had to stop at the customs booth and
answer a few questions for the Canadian Customs Officer. Once we
got across we went to the Visitors Center where they have an
extensive museum containing historic photographs, and artifacts
for which there are text and audio interpretations. We then went
into the forty-seat threatre and watched the video "Beloved
Island". It was a portrait of the island and its impact on
Franklin Roosevelt. The film was very interesting. It dealt
mostly with the story about FDR's childhood and then his 
transition
into adulthood. It was fascinating to watch the man I had often
seen in newsreels on crutches or in a wheelchair (due to polio)
lead a very active personal and social life. FDR loved all kinds
of watersports and passed that love along to his children. His
life on Campobello started out when his parents bought a summer
house on the island. Many of his childhood summers were spent on
the island, learning to sail and many other water activities.
When FDR grew to adulthood and married he and his wife, Eleanor,
started coming to the island and staying at a cottage next to his
parents (now the Roosevelt Cottage). When Franklin's mother
passed away she left the cottage to Franklin and Eleanor. FDR as
an adult recalled the 
freedom and joy of his childhood and drew
strength from the island. He always called the island "my
beloved island". In visiting the Roosevelt Cottage I was
surprised at how modest a home it was. When I think of
"summer cottages" for the rich and famous of the early
1900's I think of huge mansions with all the lavish appointments
available. Well, this was hardly the case for the Roosevelt
"Summer Cottage." True it is a lovely house but
considering that the Roosevelts (Eleanor and Franklin) had five
children, it was not overly large. What was interesting is that
as you went from room to room there was a guide who gave a brief
description of the use of the room, who lived there, and was able
to answer any questions you might have. As we wandered 
through the house I tried to imagine a great
man like Franklin Roosevelt and his family living there. I can
only imagine that it was probably a welcome change from all the
pomp and circumstance that came with his position in politics.
Here he had the freedeom to just be a man, a husband and father.
Unfortunately, this happiness was not to last. When he was on the
island in 1921 he was stricken with polio at the age of 39. He
was taken from the island on a stretcher and was not to return
for nearly twelve years. Eleanor however, did return many times
with the children during the summer months. FDR was not to return
to Campobello until he became President of the United States and
then he only returned for three visits (1933, 1936 and 1939).
The Roosevelt Campobello
International Park was established on January 22, 1964 by an
international agreement 
signed by President Lyndon B. Johnson (of the
United States) and Prime Minister Lester B. Pearson (of Canada).
The agreement established the Park as a unique memorial to the
close and neighbourly relations between the peoples of Canada and
the United States of America. Both governments recognized the
important role FDR had played in their mutual histories and the
many intimate associations of President Roosevelt with his summer
home on Campobello. In 1980, the Roosevelt Campobello
International Park Commission adopted a logo based on President
Roosevelt's original desiign for his matchbook covers. The
letters "FDR" form a sailboat, respresentative of his
favourite pastime. The Commission added a star over the bow and a
maple leaf over the stern. These additions signify participation
by Canada and the United States in the joint operation of the
Park.
The Park opens the
Saturday following Victoria Day (the Sat prior to US Memorial
Day) and
remains open through Canadian Thanksgiving (US
Columbus Day). Visiting hours are from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
There is no admission charge. If you would like anymore
information check their website at: http://www.fdr.net . If you
visit the island be sure and take time to drive around the island
and see some of the beautiful scenery. They have Salmon farms in
some of the bays and several nice restaurants. There are also
very nice hiking or biking trails. While they don't allow
overnight camping in the Park itself there is a park in the area
called Herring Cove Provincial Park that has 100 campsites, forty
with electrical hookups. There is also a nine-hole golf course in
the area.
Good Luck! Have Fun! and Stay
Safe!
Laura
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