Roosevelt Series
with Mike Bell
Senior College students were, of course, disappointed when classes were canceled, but Mike Bell stepped right up and offered his class on the Roosevelts via Zoom. Initially, two sections were scheduled, and Mike decided to keep to that schedule—one class meeting on Monday morning and the other on Friday morning.
Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt are two of the most consequential people in American history. The class examines their lives and their role in shaping America and the world as we know it. As part of the class, Mike arranged two special visits for us. The first took us to Campobello where we took a virtual tour of the grounds with Will Kernohan who also described family life at the “cottage.” Then four Campobello guides took over and told their favorite Roosevelt stories. The second was presented by author Kathryn Smith. She offered a living history program about Marguerite “Missy” LeHand, FDR’s private secretary, the subject of Smith’s popular book, “The Gatekeeper.” Missy LeHand is generally considered the first and only female presidential chief of staff. There was a lengthy, informative Q and A after the program.
GUEST SPEAKERS:
A virtual tour of
Roosevelt Campobello
International Park
by Will Kernohan
and four guides.
GUEST SPEAKER:
Missy LeHand living history program
by Kathryn Smith. Extensive Q & A follows.
TO PLAY VIDEOS, click on the images below and at right.
WEEK ONE
The origins of the Roosevelt family, FDR’s education and marriage to Eleanor.
WEEK TWO
The start of FDR’s career in government
and politics.
WEEK THREE
Their struggles… FDR’s affair with Lucy Mercer and his battle with polio.
WEEK FOUR
Places that were important to FDR: Hyde Park, Warm Springs, and Campobello.
WEEK FIVE
Character profiles of some of the Roosevelts’ enemies.
WEEK SIX
FDR’s friends & companions:
Missy LeHand, Lucy Mercer, and “Daisy” Suckley.
WEEK SEVEN
FDRs Leadership qualities.
WEEK EIGHT
Eleanor Roosevelt and Human Rights.
WEEK NINE
FDR’s legacy and what happened to his children.