Trixie Navarre

A Detailed Look into FDR’s Little White House

FDR’s Little White House- A simple and modest home tucked away in the woods of Warm Springs, Georgia. This was where Franklin D. Roosevelt found solace during his presidency, and swam in the local hot springs hoping to find a cure for the later effects of childhood polio. The Little White House was also where he passed away while posing for a portrait. True to the day that FDR passed, everything is still in its original place and preserved.

I found this place by total wanderlust. I have a gypsy heart, and sometimes I get pulled off the road when something catches my eye. I was driving solo back to Atlanta on the 185, and saw a sign for “The Little White House” in Warm Springs. Something told me to get off the highway and take the little road to this little house.

Honestly I had no idea what the pull was was, but I wanted to go there. I drove 30 minutes through the backwoods of Georgia passing tiny homes, a deer trying to cross the road, and winter foliage. It was all very picturesque in a rural sort of way.

When I pulled into the town of Warm Springs I saw a small main street, which reminded me of several little towns that I have driven through while on my wanderlust road trips. The whole tiny town was dressed in holiday décor, which looked like something out of a Norman Rockwell painting.

After I parked at the Little White House, I read the plaque and realized where my wanderlust heart brought me to. It was the modest home that FDR built, to help him through the effects of Polio and where he passed away in. I always listen to that guiding voice inside of me, as it never steers me wrong.

There was a small museum upon entering that held many of FDR’s belongings including a couple of automobiles, his wheelchair, leg braces, canes given to him, and other personal items. There were also photos of him on the wall while meeting with other dignitaries, such as Churchill.

A couple of months prior to this visit I was at Blenheim Palace in England, which was the birthplace and home of Churchill. Coming to the Little White House tied it all together for me.

Once you leave the museum the Little White House is not to far of a walk. It was breathtaking in its simplicity, with a small guest house to the left and the servant’s quarters to the right. Both were modest, and everything had been persevered from the day FDR passed away.

Although I do believe there was a ghost inside the servants quarter, which did not surprise me. When I approached the front door, I heard very loud noises inside like there was somebody inside. I thought there was a guide waiting to inform me about the servants quarters. When I walked in, it was totally empty and I walked right out!

The Little White House itself was remarkable. It was not overly gaudy and over-the-top like past president’s vacation homes, but was simply constructed with basic furnishings. It was true to the nature of the President who brought us through the years of the Great Depression and WWII.

Living Room, Dining Room and Bathroom photos

I have been through many historical homes and castles throughout the world. and the one thing that intrigued me about this place, and made it so special was that everything, I mean everything was original. Many of the rooms were roped off or items behind plexiglass to protect and preserve, as in in most historic homes.

Nothing was moved and everything had been preserved from the kitchen items, dishes in the butler pantry, the flooring, the paneling on the wall, and even the toilet paper is original and enclosed.

The informative guide educated me on FDR’s last moments, and walked me over to the chair that he collapsed in while having his portrait painted. Then pointed to the door that his servants carried him through to lay him down on his bed. It was the original bed where FDR passed away from complications of a stroke, but the linen had all been changed.

FDR’s original bed

Eleanor’s Bedroom

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When you leave the Little White Housee, you pass through the ‘Legacy Exhibit’ where you will find several artifacts and photographs with regards to his passing. As well as the unfinished portrait of FDR, which was being painted when he passed.

The Little White House is a significant and special place. Not only for its historical value, but for the simplicity of the location and the construction. A home of someone very powerful reflects who they are, as with any other person. For this former President of the United States, FDR wanted just enough space to help him recover from Polio and to create an uncomplicated lifestyle.

The Little White House, in all its beauty and modesty was the retreat of a President who brought us through the Great Depression, and into WWII. I felt that I learned more about FDR on this day than I ever did in a history class.

By the way, The Little White House only cost over $8,000 to build. Which in today’s economy would have been around $115,000.

For my Yelp Review, Read Trixie N.‘s review of Roosevelt’s Little White House on Yelp

For location and information, please visit Roosevelt’s Little White House website

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📸 All photos are taken by me and are my intellectual property – Trixie Navarre