Rhinebeck on the National Stage

Although known around the world as the only US President to win four terms in the White House, and the global leader of the free world during World War Two, nothing kept Hyde Park’s Franklin Roosevelt from involving himself in the teaching and appreciation of local history. He and his wife, Eleanor, would be thrilled that you are stopping outside the US Post Office that he meticulously managed the design and building of in 1940.

A local historic house was the inspiration for today's  Federal Post Office. The basic form is a historic house which no longer stands: the Kip-Beekman-Heermance house, which was a typical 18th-century stone house in Dutch style near the Hudson River, shown in the header image.

A President and a Post Office

Rhnebeck has had an important role on the national stage, this includes in politics and policy. FDR and ER were Rhinebeck regulars, and FDR's cousins Daisy Suckley (Wilderstein) and Larua Delano were residents when not accompanuing him on his trips arouns the coundty and world. . Committed to uplifting the working person during the great depressions, FDR insituted a great works and infrstruation project which included  building Post Offices and supporing artists to capture and celebrate tht history and assests of our coutnry. The Rhinebeck Post Office was one in which FDR held great interest and spoke at its opening. Local Olin Dows (For Hollow Far) parinted the murals in this and other post offices as part of this larger proejct.. FDR and ER were also champions of enshrining people's fundamental riughts and world peace through their efforts in creating the United Nations.  

The Hudson Army "If Washington were living today he would favor votes for women"

Rhinebeck also played its part in the women's suffrage movement. Many local women - and men - were involved in this cuase, indluding Neysa McMein (burried in the Rhinebeck Ccemeterry), who was a famous jazz age illustrator and sufrageette - seen here at a parade in 1917.  During the year 1912 an "army" of women, led by Rosalie Jones, hiked from NYC to Albany to delvier a petition on women's right to vote in NY state. Along the route supporters came out in droves. When in Rhinebeck, Sarah Dows (related to Oln Dows above) came on her horse carrying the American flag to join the hikers. Roalie and her army stayed overnight  at the Beekman Arms. Their passage through Rhinebeck was captured in the Daily Freemen.

ALBANY OR BUST" SAYS SUFFRAGETTE

By Telegraph to The Freeman. Rhinebeck, N. Y., Dec. 23.— With 51 miles still separating them from Albany, the little band of suffragettes under "General" Rosalie Jones,who are walking from New York to the state capital to deliver a "votes for women" petition to Governorelect Sulzer. set out from here today for Upper Red Hook. Scores of interested adherents of the cause and many others who were led on by mere curiosity accompanied the women several miles beyond Rhinebeck. Although tired, "General" Jones said they would "make Albany or bust." The suffrage marchers will eat their Christmas dinner on the way. Their trip is full of interesting incidents, the latest being a review of her army by "General" Jones as she sat in the same arm chair here [Beekman Arms]  that once was occupied by George Washington while he reviewed his continental soldiers. Miss Jones said she was sure that if Washington were living today he would favor votes for women. 23 Dec Kingston Daily Freeman

Where to Learn More:

Wikipedia profile of Post Office

FDR dedication speech

The DCHS Red Hook Suffrage Trail

Suffrage hikes

American History Suffrage Profile

https://spartacus-educational.com/Aneysa_mcMein.htm