Hyde Park, NY
Client: General Services Administration/National Archives and Records Administration
Project Type: Historic Structure Report; Roof Restoration
The concept of the Presidential Library was developed by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, who raised private funds for the construction of the building and arranged for it to be turned over to the National Archives when completed. Although the architect for the library was Louis Simon, Supervisory Architect for the Treasury Department, Roosevelt himself was responsible for the conceptual design as well as the development of many of the details, including the final color scheme.
In 2000, John G. Waite Associates, Architects was commissioned to prepare a historic structure report intended as the first step in establishing a long-range preservation program for the building. By researching Roosevelt’s papers, other contemporary archival materials, and the recollections of those associated with the FDR Library, it was possible to assemble a history of the building design, construction and subsequent alterations along with a detailed architectural description of the entire structure.
JGWA also prepared construction documents for the restoration of the library’s flat-lock sheet metal roofing.
