Description:

Roosevelt Franklin

Franklin D. Roosevelt TLS to Arthur Carpenter, Manager of Georgia Warm Springs Foundation

 

1p TLS on fancy letterhead signed by Governor of New York Franklin Delano Roosevelt (1882-1945) as "FDR" at center. The gilt and embossed state seal appears at top labeled "State of New York, Executive Chamber, Albany," and "Franklin D. Roosevelt, Governor" is printed at left. The thick cream paper is in near fine condition. With expected light paper folds. Page measures 7.5" x 9.5".

 

On July 28, 1931, 44th Governor of New York Franklin D. Roosevelt wrote Arthur Carpenter, his friend, business associate, and fellow polio survivor.

 

"Dear Carp:

 

That is a perfectly pious idea about going to Sam Tate's place. However, if I start going anywhere in Georgia I shall have to go everywhere! Therefore, Warm Springs only seems to be the best bet.

 

Sincerely,

 

FDR."

 

Franklin D. Roosevelt promised to return to Warm Springs, site of a natural hot spring in western central Georgia. After Roosevelt had contracted polio in 1921, he sought out the hot (88° F) and mineral-rich waters of Warm Springs to soothe and revitalize his partially paralyzed legs almost every year between 1924-1945.

 

Roosevelt responded well to the hydrotherapy, but was dismayed to find out that the cure was too expensive for some. In 1926, FDR purchased the springs, land, and buildings at Warm Springs. He collaborated with friends to establish the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation (now the Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation) the following year. The mission of the Foundation was to provide low-cost treatment to polio patients. One of these patients was Arthur Carpenter, Roosevelt's correspondent, who visited in 1928.

 

Arthur Carpenter, or "Carp," was a former ad manager at Parents' Magazine before Roosevelt asked him to become business manager of the Foundation. Carpenter oversaw the Foundation from its opening until the mid-1930s.

 

"Sam Tate's place" might have referred to the Tate Mountain Estates, a resort located about 120 miles due north of Warm Springs in Pickens County, Georgia. Colonel Sam Tate (1860-1938) channeled his marble company fortune into real estate investment in 1928, when he proposed opening a hotel, dude ranch, golf course, and summer camp at the top of Burnt Mountain. The resort opened in 1930 and was expanded in 1931.

 

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