Eleanor Roosevelt was a pip. Aristocratically elegant from the get-go, she was able not only to reimagine herself as a champion of the homey and vernacular, but also to inspire a revival of indigenous American folk arts, raising what had been previously known as “women’s work” to the same echelons as the male-oriented fine art of her day. She opened up what that fine art meant, allowed a widening of its doors to include women artists, fought for world peace and the eradication of hunger and other key problems plaguing civilization, all the while staying cool, calm and collected along the way.
In keeping with that ever-expanding legacy, the events surrounding Eleanor Roosevelt’s role in regional history get ever-better – as with the upcoming fifth annual “Eleanor Roosevelt Knit-In,” set to take place from 1 to 5 p.m. next Sunday, May 6 at the Henry A. Wallace Conference Center at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library & Museum on Route 9 in Hyde Park. Attendees will knit or crochet seven-by-nine-inch acrylic yarn blocks to be assembled into afghans and donated to Veterans’ Administration Hospitals, battered women’s shelters, our troops here and overseas and others in need. In addition, the event will serve as a fundraiser for the Town of Hyde Park Historical Society.
One does not need to knit or crochet to attend; however, you do need to make a reservation by Monday, April 30. The event will include, in addition to lots of knitting circles, the showing of several films about the life of Mrs. Roosevelt, appropriate refreshments and a free pass to the FDR Presidential Library for the entire day. For information call (845) 229-2559, e-mail patsyc97@aol.com or visit www.townofhydeparkny-historicalsociety.org.
Join the family! 
