Historic Environments

The Eleanor Roosevelt national historic site, otherwise known as Val-kill, offers an informative look into the estate of an important character in American History accompanied by beautiful grounds complete with miles of hiking trails. When visitors arrive at Val-Kill, they are greeted by a bucolic landscape with multiple historic structures, including a building known as Stone Cottage, and Val-Kill cottage, which was once the home of Val-Kill industries before being converted to Eleanor Roosevelt’s primary residence.

Stone Cottage
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The official tour starts with a short biographical film, followed by a brief explanation of the site by a park ranger, and finally a guided tour of Val-Kill Cottage.

Val-Kill Cottage
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Although only about half of the items in the cottage are original pieces, the interior of the house has been decorated to look the same way it would have looked in 1962, when Eleanor Roosevelt died. This site tells the story of a visionary woman who staunchly stood for what she thought was right.

At this site, Eleanor Roosevelt is described as a powerful advocate for civil and human rights who used her charisma and drive to continue making an impact long after the death of her husband, and on until to the last year of her life. There is also an emphasis on the history of Val-Kill as a historical site itself. The interpretation at the site emphasizes the importance of Val-Kill as the only national historic site dedicated to a first lady. The story told at Val-Kill seeks to challenge the underrepresentation of women in national historic sites. The Interpretation at the site emphasizes Eleanor Roosevelt’s reputation as a powerful individual who made a great impact on the world, despite the fact that she is sometimes unfairly overshadowed by the accomplishments of her husband in popular historical discourse.