By Brian P. Roslund

Franklin Delano Roosevelt our nations 32nd President was by many, considered an adopted resident of Georgia.

He was drawn to Warm Springs, GA in 1924 seeking a cure for the infantile paralysis that ailed him. Swimming in the pools of warm mineral water that flowed naturally into the resort community. Roosevelt would see some limited improvement in his mobility. -More importantly, FDR would later develop programs such as the Rural Electrification Act as a result of his experiences there.

FDR would accept the nomination for Governor of New York in Warm Springs. A former Assistant Secretary of the Navy and Vice Presidential candidate, his election as Governor of New York would re-launch his successful political career. A career that would bring him to the White House.

I'm a fan of Presidential history and had read much about the region. However, it was not until my first visit to Warm Springs, that I truly understood the impact FDR had on this scenic region.

Roosevelt was a charismatic leader that would develop friendships with many in the rural Georgia community. It was here that he developed the first post polio treatment center in the world, which still thrives to this day as the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation. The institute is open daily for guided tours. The stately Georgia Hall stands in front of the college campus style complex. A self guided tour tells the story of the creation and development of the institute. White columns line the walkways and displays depict the history of the foundation. The institute reflected the persona of FDR. It was a happy place for polio victims, (most were shut in from the outside world at that time). FDR created an environment of happiness and research. Photographs show the president during Thanksgiving Dinner, an event frequently attended by FDR. Somehow, I could still feel his presence here...

In 1932 Roosevelt would construct his second home, a modest cottage atop Pine Mountain, that would become know as Little White House.

Today that home serves as a monument to the 32nd President. Visitors to Roosevelt's Little White House State Historic Site tour a museum featuring hundreds of Roosevelt artifacts including one his original automobiles (specially fitted with hand controls.) Later guests relax in the museum's theater for a short film narrated by CBS news veteran Walter Cronkite.

The shaded grounds are peaceful and serene. As I walked the short path to his cottage I passed the secret service guard houses, guest quarters and servant quarters. As a cool breeze snapped the American flag above me I looked down a short hill and saw the home.

A crisp, white, cottage with black shutters, some roses climbed the front columns. The home is modest, but stately. FDR was very involved in the design of the residence and it seemed to fit in naturally with its forested setting.

Directed to a side door I entered into the kitchen. Modern for its day in the 1930's, many artifacts still remain.

On the wall is a small inscription "Daisy Bonner cooked the first meal and last one in this cottage for the President." The inscription was written by Daisy herself. From the beginning I learned Daisy was FDR's cook at Little White House. Often she would prepare his favorite dish "Country Captain."

I would continue my tour walking into a hallway with lighted cabinets full of the homes glassware. Here, as I crossed into the main room, park staff politely asked if had any questions.

The main room features a stately fire place and offers a grand reflection of the former President. Most of the homes furniture was made by First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt's furniture company Val-Kill. FDR was an avid reader, books line the shelves on ether side of the mantle.

Here we also see the president's chair and dining room table. The home is rustic and maintained as it was the day he left in 1945. The room is lit brilliantly by a wall of paned glass facing the sundeck. Somehow, I could still feel his presence here. ..

As I opened the door to the sundeck I was welcomed by a gentleman that sat in a chair off to my left. I was delighted to see the President was welcoming guests to his home.

I would learn Robert Prater is a resident of Warm Springs and serves as the President of Friends of Roosevelt's Little White House. A volunteer support group for the historic site.

Prater portrays FDR to the delight of park visitors and is fitted with period style dress and obligatory fedora cap, cigarette holder and pincher glasses. Prater stays in character offering a strong performance. He speaks with the mixture of the New York, and Bostonian accent. A voice that was heard around the nation during fireside chats. On this day he was taking questions from the visitors. Prater delighted the crowd with a story about taking Winston Churchill out for a ride in his convertible on his Hyde Park, NY estate.

Before I left the sundeck I asked the Presidents permission to have my photo made with him. He was more than happy to do so. It is a photograph I'll always treasure, its not every day you get to meet a "President."

As I left the sundeck FDR thanked me for visiting and invited me to walk back through his bedroom He thought "his staff had cleaned it up well enough to be presentable."

The small wood-paneled room featured a twin bed, his desk and small dresser. In many ways it was small for what I thought a "Presidential" bedroom would look like. However, of all the rooms at his Pine Mountain cottage this remains the most emotionally powerful. It was here, on April 12, 1945 our nations longest serving President, died at 63 years of age.

Earlier on that day FDR was going through his papers from Washington and posing to have his portrait painted. The president complained of a "tremendous headache" and collapsed. He was taken to his bedroom where he died a few hours later of a cerebral hemorrhage.

Somehow, in the small bedroom in a cottage rural Georgia, I could still feel his presence here...

Walking through the president's bathroom I stood for a moment in Eleanor's room. A first lady that was beloved by our nation had stayed here several times. Somehow, I could still feel her presence here...

As I stepped back into the foyer to exit I saw one of FDR's wheelchairs. I learned this was one place he never hid his disability. Roosevelt wore ten pounds of steel bracing around his legs to stand with assistance, or grasp podiums for support. His immobility was concealed for his entire presidency. However, here, he typically wore his bracing outside of his clothing.

I exited the cottage and continued my journey back up the small hill. When exiting, I saw the "Unfinished Portrait." on display. The display also included the Jefferson Day Address FDR was working on the day he died and photographs of his funeral train.

The eyes of a nation focused here on that day in April. FDR would leave Warm Springs for the last time on April 13, 1945 by special train. Thousands lined the tracks all the way to Washington to mourn the loss of our great leader.

As I departed from Little White House I drove one mile down the hill and visited the historic pools, where it all began. Restored for visitors this museum tells the story of FDR's arrival in Warm Springs and warm mineral waters that filled the pools for resort guests. FDR would use his entire trust fund to purchase the resort from George Foster Peabody and turn it into a polio treatment center.

The highlight of my visit was a discussion with ranger Suzanne Pike. A former patient at the institute, she told me her fond recollections of the President. FDR called her "Suzie." She recanted to me where she was that day in April when the President passed. As she explained the story to me I felt taken back in time. Somehow, I could still feel his presence here...

After I left the pools I drove past the "Roosevelt Farms," and "FDR's Pine Planting." Turning onto the Pine Mountain scenic highway. Constructed by the Civilian Conservation Corps -an FDR New Deal Program.

Entering F.D. Roosevelt State Park I would arrive at Dowdell's Knob. One of the most picturesque views in Central Georgia. Rising above the Pine Mountain Valley it was the presidents favorite picnic spot. Assistants would remove a car seat from his vehicle and place it on the rocks so he could enjoy the view. Here, FDR would invite neighbors and friends to join him.

In that valley FDR would create the Pine Mountain Project. A community of homes constructed by the WPA (Works Progress Administration.)
Located several yards from the precipice is a statue of the president. Seated on a car seat it invites guests to sit with him and enjoy the view. This statue is unlike others, it shows the braces worn on the outside of his clothing. Exactly as he would have, in the comfort of his friends and neighbors in Georgia. The statue faces the view he enjoyed so much. Somehow, I could still feel his presence here...

Franklin Delano Roosevelt would serve longer than any other U.S. President. He saw our Nation through a war waged around the world, and through a great economic depression. Many of his New Deal programs are still in use today. It was the people of Georgia that had a direct impact on the President.

What I felt at his cottage, pools, institute, and scenic overlook -was a spirit.- A feeling that I will never forget... What I felt was the "Spirit of Warm Springs."