Seat of Power

Seat of Power

 

Today is FDR’s birthday. Seen here is his wheelchair inside the Presidential Stateroom of the Ferdinand Magellan railcar. FDR gave over 350 speeches and traveled tens of thousands of miles in the Magellan – with his last trip in it taking place two weeks prior to his death.

He shepherded the United States through World World II from the Magellan and undoubtedly spent many hours in this specially designed wheelchair – a humble seat for an immense burden.

FDR’s first trip in the Magellan was to Miami, Florida, so it is fitting that the Magellan is now part of the collection at Miami’s Gold Coast Railroad Museum.