Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site - Support Your Park (U.S. National Park Service)

WD Urbin

The back porch at Val-Kill

After Eleanor Roosevelt died in 1962, her house Val-Kill was converted into four rental units. In 1970 the property was sold to private developers who planned to build on the land. Concerned that the development would damage a valuable historic asset, local citizens organized a drive to preserve the site. This sparked interest in establishing a national memorial. In May 1977 President Jimmy Carter signed the bill creating the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, "in order to commemorate for the education, inspiration, and benefit of present and future generations the life and work of an outstanding woman in American History."