FDR/King George Hot Dog Picnic at the Hyde Park Railroad Station Museum

Enjoy hot dogs topped with a dollop of history at this event, which commemorates a most intriguing occurrence in local history. On June 11, 1939, Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt hosted King George VI and Queen Elizabeth of England at Top Cottage, the President's hilltop retreat in Hyde Park, for a hot dog picnic. They were the first reigning British monarchs ever to visit the United States — and it was their first time eating hot dogs!

Of course, woven into the informality of the event was the very serious matter of relations between the two nations at a most critical time. Europe was about to be embroiled in World War II, and the diplomatic bonds that were forged over frankfurters that afternoon proved invaluable to defeating Adolf Hitler several years later.

The king and queen traveled by train when they left Hyde Park, boarding the train at the Hyde Park Station. 

The Hot Dog Picnic on June 13 will include free tours of the Hyde Park Railroad Station Museum, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Click here to register for the picnic.