Theresa, Violet and Dawn, our hostesses, enthusiastically brought Eleanor into clear focus, as they related stories shared by their family members who had worked at the Roosevelt estate since the early 1900's. Violet reminded us that today, just as it was in Eleanor's day, rule number one at the tea party; no talk of politics allowed!
It was clear that Eleanor's kindness and genuine interest in the community of Campobello Island endeared her to the islanders. She was known to invite just about everyone she saw from one afternoon to the next for tea, so the staff never knew whether to bake cookies for 1o or 50.
Ever the gracious hostess, Eleanor was far more interested in people's ideas than in their attire or social status. Dawn laughed as she told us how Eleanor ordered dresses from the Sear's Catalog to wear while on Campobello Island, so she just might be wearing the same outfit as one of her guests.
In the war years, Eleanor frequently hosted knitting circles to make socks and mittens for the troops, and you can still see her knitting needles standing at the ready in the display case.
During her public life as the wife of FDR, one of the most esteemed Presidents in American history, Eleanor redefined the role of First Lady of the United States. Being First Lady was largely a ceremonial role, but Eleanor changed all that by holding press conferences and issuing agendas. While Franklin broadcast his fireside chats on the radio, Eleanor took to pen and paper, authoring 27 books and penning 7,300 My Day columns which were syndicated in newspapers across America. Each night Eleanor wrote a 500 word column of her thoughts and reflections and she never missed a deadline.