It may be called "the unofficial start of summer," but Memorial Day is a solemn day of remembrance to honor those who died while defending this great nation. There are parades, ceremonies, and events planned throughout Dutchess County for Memorial Day weekend, including these events scheduled in Hyde Park:
Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, 10 a.m.–4 p.m.
Witness history come to life as the Great Lawn in front of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum takes on the appearance of a World War II bivouac with WWII military displays and period military vehicles of all sizes, along with soldiers in battle dress on hand to share their love of World War II history. Among the items on display will be a model M4A4 Sherman tank, which was assembled by Chrysler at the Detroit Tank Arsenal in December 1942 and was used in combat during World War II. It was part of President Roosevelt's "lend-lease" program, crewed by and under the command of Great Britain's armed forces during the war. Display of the tank is courtesy of the Fourth Armored Division Historical Preservation Group. This is a free public event. For updates, click here.
Related: Interested in Revolutionary War history? Don't miss RevCon 2026 on June 13 and the Revolutionary Cider Celebration on June 27!
Saturday, May 23, 10 a.m., at the Home of Franklin D. Roosevelt National Historic Site, Hyde Park
Also on the Roosevelt property on Saturday will be the sixth-annual Hyde Park Education Foundation Flag Display. Hundreds of American flags will fly in honor of all who have served this great nation. The opening ceremony will be Saturday at 10 a.m., and there will be free events, entertainment and kids activities all day. The flags will remain up all weekend. Click here to sponsor a flag.
Monday, May 25, 10 a.m.
The Hyde Park annual Memorial Day Parade will follow Route 9 north toward Town Hall. Following the parade, spectators and participants are invited to attend the memorial services hosted by the American Legion at Town Hall. Click here for details.
Related: Spend Memorial Day Weekend in Dutchess
No visit to Historic Hyde Park would be complete without touring the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, the Home of FDR National Historic Site, and the Eleanor Roosevelt National Historic Site, where you can learn all about this dynamic husband-and-wife tandem. He guided America out of the Great Depression and through World War II. She played a leading role in the writing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights as the chair of the United Nations' Human Rights Commission.
