Skip to main content
Collections Menu
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Locks of Franklin Roosevelt's Hair
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.
Image courtesy of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum.

Locks of Franklin Roosevelt's Hair

Artifact IDMO 1947.93.7
Object Type Relic, Historic
Maker (American, 1854 - 1941)
Date1886
Mediumhair (human), ribbon
Dimensionspart a (larger lock) H 5 in x W 3 1/2 in x D 1 1/4 in (12.7 cm x 8.9 cm x 3.2 cm )
 part b (smaller lock) H 4 in x W 1 1/4 in x D 1 in (10.2 cm x 3.2 cm x 2.5 cm )
Physical Descriptiona-b) Two locks of Franklin D. Roosevelt's hair, cut when he was four years and four months old. Each lock is tied with a light blue ribbon.

c) A small, white cardboard box with a handwritten note by Sara Delano Roosevelt that reads: Franklin's hair cut when 4 years and 4 months old. June 1886.
Historical NoteLike many boys of his social class, Franklin Roosevelt wore his hair long until he was almost five years old. When it was cut, his mother saved several locks. One of these locks is on display in the A PRIVILEGED YOUTH exhibit in the Museum’s FOUNDATIONS OF A PUBLIC LIFE gallery.
Additional Details
Custodial History NoteDonated to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum as a bequest of Franklin D. Roosevelt on February 20, 1947.
Credit LineEstate of Franklin D. Roosevelt
National Archives Catalog CollectionFranklin D. Roosevelt Library Museum Collection (National Archives Identifier 735948)
National Archives Catalog SeriesPersonal Possessions of the Roosevelt Family (National Archives Identifier 782689)
Use Restriction StatusUnrestricted
CopyrightReproduction or other use of these holdings or images thereof is unrestricted.
In Collection(s)
On view
Related Links