I slept fairly well overnight, with the windows open: an odd thing to do in mid-November. But the room was initially a bit warm for my liking. As the night wore on, I felt much more comfortable. When morning came, I was up and going around 6:30 am. After a shower, I changed into some 'dressed-up' clothes: a black vest, white shirt, and khaki trousers--and pinned my red "Flanders Fields" poppy pin on the vest's lapel, so Allen would recognize me at the train station in nearby Poughkeepsie. This is usually about the dressiest I get.
I stopped at the inn's coffee shop, for their complimentary breakfast. I helped myself to a toasted bagel with cream cheese, a banana, and orange juice. As the first one in the coffee shop, I felt a little bit alone as I sat to eat, and read a copy of The New York Times. But I was soon joined by another guest: a gentleman from Florida named Mike, who was on his way to Cooperstown, New York, to visit the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. He told me he was a fan of the St Louis Cardinals, who had just won the 2011 World Series in late October. It was also his first visit to the Hudson River Valley, and he said he enjoyed it very much. I wished Mike a safe trip to Cooperstown.
After breakfast, I returned to my room and went on my computer for a few minutes. I also decided to try and call Allen one more time, to tell him how to recognize me at the train station. Happily, we finally made telephone contact, and I said he could recognize me by the black vest with a red poppy pin. He said he'd be on the lookout, so I wished him a safe journey, and rang off. I then washed my face again and put on fresh makeup, and left for the train station. It was around 9:30 am.
As I got closer to Poughkeepsie, the traffic became busier--especially after I passed Marist College. It grew even heavier--and faster!--as I approached what I thought was the correct exit to the station. When it turned out to be the wrong exit, I panicked ever so slightly, thinking I'd have to go all the way into the city of Poughkeepsie itself, and then backtrack to Route 9. After making a U-turn at one light, I got back onto Route 9 going back to Hyde Park; I turned around in a store parking lot across from Marist College, went back to Poughkeepsie, and eventually made the correct exit for the train station. Thank heaven I'd left Hyde Park with about an hour to spare; if I'd left any later, I would certainly have panicked!
Then came the next challenge: finding a spot to park the car at the station! Now this was an adventure.... First, I tried an outside car park near the station. But it was full, and one could park there by 'permit only'. Next, I entered the parking garage adjacent to the station itself. But I could not find a way to get to the garage's second or third levels, so I exited the garage, and went back to the adjoining street, thinking there would be 'public parking' in another car park. When I found out the car park was for a local elder-care home, I started to get a bit frustrated. But eventually, I did find on-the-street parking near the station: four hours of 'free' parking! I pulled into the spot and parked, and walked to the station.
During the wait, I chatted with a couple of ladies from Texas, who were taking a train to New York. We talked about things like horses, and the terrible drought that ravaged parts of Texas this past summer.
Right around 11:30, Allen's train pulled into the station. I waited by the staircase leading from the platform--and then I saw him. He smiled as he recognized me, and came over and greeted me warmly. It had been nearly a year since I'd met Allen, in his office at the Churchill Archives in Cambridge. On my visit last November, he'd given me a tour of the Archives, and treated me to lunch in the Fellows' Dining Hall at the College.
We chatted about his train trip, and his week of activity in New York, while walking back to my car. Allen had to remember that the passenger side on US cars is on the right, instead of the other-way-round in the UK. Soon, we were back on US Route 9, and on our way to lunch at The Eveready Diner. We talked about many subjects on the drive, including travel. I'd discovered that Allen had visited Israel in the early 1990s. My own multiple visits to Israel occurred in the 1970s and 1980s.
Not only is Allen the Churchill Archives Director. He is also the Executive Director of the Churchill Centre, UK branch. I honestly don't know how he juggles all these responsibilities, and still manage to keep his head about things!
At the Eveready Diner, we ordered lunch: we both ordered salads (he, Santa Fe salad; me, Chicken Caesar Salad). I warned Allen the portions at this diner are huge--and they sure were! He was eating light, as he told me he had a dinner to attend later that evening back in New York.
While we ate, Allen showed me the floor plans for the Churchill exhibition at The Morgan Library. It's called Churchill: The Power of Words, and will have displays of various artifacts related to Churchill: one of his paintings, copies of various speeches, some personal effects, etc..
When I showed the written family tree to Allen, he said it was 'perfect'. I gave him this copy, and told him to use it as long as he needed to, and then send it back to me. Using my computer, I also showed him several photos and portraits of Leonard Jerome and his family I'd found myself, or had been emailed from different sources. I've sent most of those to Allen. He was pleased with what I'd found.
Allen also had a couple of things for me: a small book on the history of Churchill College (written for its 50th anniversary last year)--and a check, to cover my research efforts. It was in an envelope, so I didn't know then how much it was for....but later that afternoon, he told me it was for four hundred dollars. I felt it was almost too generous, but Allen wanted to be sure I was compensated for my part in the exhibition. He also told me the exhibition's Opening Night was by invitation only--and he said to me: "And you'll be receiving an invitation!" I stopped and thought, "WHAT--ME?? I'll be amongst V.I.P.'s like Sir Martin Gilbert, and members of Churchill's family?!?" It still boggles my mind, even a week later....!! I hope I won't feel like a tiny minnow, in a very large sea.....
Allen had another surprise for me at our lunch: he encouraged me to think about writing an article about the life of Leonard Jerome for the Churchill Centre's publication Finest Hour! It comes out four times a year. He said he'd be happy to proof my written draft--and would also include our mutual friend Sir Martin Gilbert in that task. He'd also help with any photos and such from the Churchill Archives.
Needless to say, I was flabbergasted at such an idea. But then, I thought about it: why not use all this information I've found for good, and educate people? Eventually, I want to create a Web site about Leonard's life--but an article, in such a respected publication, would be a great start. Allen also says he was sure there'd be a lot of Churchill-related Web sites who'd want to link to a Leonard Jerome Web site--including the Archives, and the Churchill Centre.
Franklin Roosevelt is the only Democratic president I admire: he led the US through the Great Depression of the 1930s, and most of the Second World War. He pretty much created the Federal Government the way we in the US know it today, with programs like Social Security (begun in 1935), and agencies like the Securities and Exchange Commission (founded 1934)--to name just two!
On the way back to the Wallace Center, Allen shared a little about his academic background, and how he became an Archivist. He's been a staff member at Churchill College for over ten years. He also said he was happy to get out of New York City, if only for a few hours. I told him it was a great day to be out of the Big Apple: a lovely autumn day in the Mid-Hudson Valley!
Soon, it was time for Allen's meeting with the Roosevelt Library staffers. While we waited for everyone to gather, I said to Allen that Churchill and I shared one thing in common: we both battled depression--which Churchill called his 'black dog'. Allen asked me: "I trust that he (the dog) is now chained up?" And I said, "For the most part". I sure hope the 'black dog' is.
Soon after, two young men walked over and introduced themselves. I only got first names, and they were Cliff and Todd. They both shook hands with me firmly. I trailed the three men (another man, David, would be joining us shortly), thinking I would wait for them outside their meeting room. But they kindly let me sit in on the conversation, which was a lovely surprise. When the four of us were seated, David finally came in, and Allen introduced me to him.
When they were all seated, the discussion began in earnest. Allen showed the three men the exhibition floor plan he'd shown me at lunch, and went over what roles the Roosevelt Library might play. The four of them discussed educational opportunities for teachers and schoolchildren through the exhibition, and plans for activities for the Opening Night V.I.P.s--including renting a coach for a day-trip to Hyde Park, and a panel discussion on Churchill. There was also talk of Web-streaming the panel discussion, or a presentation via C-Span2, the public service channel. The ideas were flying thick and fast.
As for myself, I said little, if anything. It was fun to watch and listen to the discussion. I scribbled a few reminders to myself in my notepad about research deadlines. The Library team was very impressed with what Allen's team has done so far--and there's still about six months to go, before the exhibition opens. It'll run from 7 June to 23 September, at The Morgan Library. It was really nice of these four gentlemen to let me sit in on their discussion. I could have just as easily sat outside the meeting room, and waited for them to finish.
All too soon, the meeting was over, and it was time to take Allen back to Poughkeepsie. I said farewell to Cliff, Todd and David, and led Allen back to the car park, and my car. During the drive, I thanked Allen again for taking the time to come to Hyde Park. And, unfortunately, I couldn't stop a lot of nervous chatter on my part. I still kick myself, even a week later, for being so idiotic.
We didn't park on the street, when we arrived at the station. Allen just asked me to drop him off at the main door, near the taxi stands. Which is just what I did: I parked the car, and Allen stepped out, and he warmly said good-bye. I wished him a safe trip home to England, and waved as he entered the station. He waved back with a smile, as I drove off, and back to Hyde Park. Traffic was crazy, as I neared Marist College again.
Back at the Roosevelt Inn, I changed clothes and went to supper at The Eveready Diner. I ordered the most awesome Chicken Pot Pie: the 'pie' was actually a puff-pastry, covered with chicken, gravy and vegetables, with a side-scoop of mashed potatoes. I was stuffed again, like usual! But it was so good.
It was dark, by the time I left the diner. I went back to my room at the inn, and watched TV and went on the computer. I made sure to write a thank-you email to Allen, and tell him how much I enjoyed our visit--and to thank him for letting me play a small role in this Churchill exhibition. It was one of the best days I've had in a very long time: probably since my UK trip last November. And now, it was almost over: both the day itself, and my Hyde Park visit.
