• HOME
  • ENGLISH
  • FRENCH
• THE PARK
  • Introduction
  • A Unique Memorial
  • The Importance of FDR
  • History
  • Eleanor Roosevelt
  • Roosevelt Cottage
  • Gardens
  • Natural Area
  • Sunsweep Sculpture
  • Mulholland Point Lighthouse
  • Interactive Map
  • Photo Album
• INFORMATION
  • Activities
  • Accessibility
  • Did You Know?
  • Administration
  • Brochures On Line
  • Conference Program
  • Park Logo
  • Learn More About FDR
  • Learn More About Canada
  • Canada/US Relations
  • Government/Misc. Links
  • Contacting Us
• TRIP PLANNER
  • Hours of Operation
  • Getting Here
  • Fees
  • Crossing the Border
  • Changing Time Zones
  • Pets
  • Camping
  • Safety
  • Local Links and Places to Visit
  • Travel and Tourism
  • Regional Parks

How the family spent their summers

From 1883, when Franklin was one year old, until he was stricken by polio in 1921, he spent most of his summers on this rugged and beautiful island on Passamaquoddy Bay. As a young father, he found that his family enjoyed Campobello and it became customary to spend July, August, and part of September there. Over the summers, the energetic, athletic father taught his children sailing and many other pastimes he had learned there during his childhood. He organized hiking expeditions along the cliffs and thrilled the children with games of hare-and-hounds and paper chases. Campobello became as much a part of the lives of his five children as it had been of his.

Sailing was the most important part of the Campobello summer. The Roosevelts enjoyed both day-sailing, often picnicking on nearby islands, and cruising, taking three and four day trips around Passamaquoddy Bay, up to St. Andrews, or along the Maine coast.

An excerpt from FDR's July 29, 1907-letter to his mother describes one of their trips. "We left in the Half Moon at 10:30 ... had to use the engine and went far up into South Bay between the Islands and landed for lunch... we did some canoeing before returning at three, getting home at five."

Outdoor activities on shore included golfing, picnicking, swimming, bicycling, playing tennis, hiking and spotting birds and sea life from the pathways or along the shore. When the children were young, they generally had lessons in the morning and spent the afternoon playing games, horseback riding, and "messing around" in boats.

As evenings could be cool and days foggy, indoor activities played an important role in the summer routine. FDR spent time working on his stamp collection; Eleanor knitted, wrote letters and read. In the evenings, she regularly read aloud to the children and guests. There was dancing at the club house and occasional evening parties for the children, such as hay rides and taffy pulls. FDR's young family loved Campobello, though his growing political responsibilities soon limited his visits to a few days at a time.

History part 1 | History part 2 | History part 3 | History part 4