Text Version


                            UNITED STATES
                     DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR
                        NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
                       NATIONAL CAPITAL PARKS
                             WASHINGTON
 
                                           October 11, 1943.
 
MEMORANDUM for the Director.
 
      This will serve to record that on the afternoon of 
October 8, 1943, there was held at the Hyde Park home of
President Franklin D. Roosevelt, a conference called by The
President for the purpose of outlining the details
incidental to the transfer of a portion of his Hyde Park
Estate to the to the United States Government. The
President has in mind giving his home and some 60 acres of
land to the Government to be set aside as a national
historic site.
 
      The President; his personal attorney, Mr. Henry T.
Hackett;Mr. Matthew M. Epstein from the United States
Department of Justice; Mr. Francis S. Ronalds and Mr. Harry
T. Thompson,representing the National Park Service, United
States Department of the Interior; were present at this
meeting.
 
      The results of the conference which represents the
President's wishes are herein set forth in general terms,
which are to be incorporated in a deed of conveyance which
is to be prepared jointly by Mr. Hackett and Mr. Epstein
and the abstract of title which is to be prepared by Mr.
Epstein. The conditions have been reviewed by all persons
attending the conference, with the exception of the
President, who was represented by Mr. Hackett, and in so
far as can be determined at this time represents the
general conditions which will at the proper time be
incorporated in the deed transferring title to the United
States Government.
 
      The attached diagram, at no scale, is included as a
part of this to serve as a record of such points as are
better set forth in this manner.  The sketch is from memory
and is not to be considered other than as an aid to clarify
the following conditions as outlined by the President:
 
      1. The President's home and buildings immediately
surrounding the home, and 60 acres of land, more or less
are to be included in the transfer.
 
      2. Mr. Hackett, representing the President, and Mr.
Epstein,representing the United States Government, are to
prepare jointly a deed of conveyance. Mr. Epstein is to
prepare an abstract of title.
 
      3. The United States Department of the Interior will
accept title to the property for the United States
Government.
 
      4.  The Department of the Interior will arrange to
have a survey made of 
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