Colonial Dutch
fieldstone homes, according to Franklin Roosevelt, symbolized the modest
hard-working nature of the early Dutch. FDR hoped to emulate those values
when he remodeled his own home. "Springwood", the Roosevelt
family home, was originally built in 1826 and upon enlargement in 1867,
resembled an Italian villa. Franklin and Eleanor's five growing children
necessitated a bigger home in 1914 and neo-Georgian wings were added to the
home. Although his mother Sara wanted a stucco and brick exterior, Franklin
persuaded her to accept the extra cost of stone. Field stone from the
property was harvested and laid in exactly the same manner as the
superintendent's cottage on the Newbold's neighboring estate.
