PHOTOGRAPHS FROM THE FUNERAL OF PRESIDENT FRANKLIN D. ROOSEVELT

A collection of 27 photographs of the funeral procession and graveside service for Franklin D. Roosevelt who died in Warm Springs, Georgia on April 12, 1945, at the age of 63 during his fourth term as President of the United States. The photographer of the black and white 8" x 10" images is not known. They appear to have been taken by a professional given the level of access. Following his death, the Ferdinand Magellan train returned the 32nd President to Washington, D.C., on April 14 and his coffin was carried on a military caisson wagon in a military procession from Union Station to the White House. At least 500,000 people lined the route. The coffin was brought into the East Room where it would remain for about five hours. After a simple funeral service, the caisson returned to Union Station and the coffin was placed aboard a train to be taken for burial at Hyde Park, New York. Images in this collection include a photograph of Eleanor Roosevelt at the burial, the President’s casket being lifted by various military representatives, a flag being draped over the casket, The Women’s Reserve (WAVES) marching in the procession, the wagon carrying the President’s casket, and numerous military officials, mostly from the Navy. Roosevelt served as the Assistant Secretary of the Navy and was an ardent supporter of a large, efficient force.…