The Doll House

The Doll House, built for Springwood in 1935, was moved to Val-Kill in 1945.

NPS Photo

This small building was called Swan Cottage when it was first built in 1935 by FDR's mother, Sara Roosevelt, for use by her grandchildren. At that time, it was located on a graveled walk about 300 yards southeast of the Big House, Springwood. New York architect Charles Short designed the house. The original configuration was a single large room with four windows. The cottage also had electricity for a single light fixture suspended from the ceiling. A kitchen was on one side of the room and included a sink with hot and cold running water, a cabinet stocked with dishes, and a small electric stove on an enameled table. The other side of the cottage was furnished as a living room with bookcases, chairs, and a table. In 1945, Eleanor Roosevelt relocated the cottage from Springwood to Val-Kill. It is not known when the cottage assumed the name Doll House.