Zurich Commemorates FDR Presidential Legacy with Archive Donation

Zurich donates desk used by its one-time employee to the FDR Presidential Library and Museum

SCHAUMBURG, Ill.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Before he sat behind his desk in the Oval Office, President Franklin D. Roosevelt worked behind a desk quite similar to other Americans in the 1920s. Zurich, a leading provider of property and casualty insurance in North America and globally, is commemorating 100 years in the U.S. and the FDR presidential legacy by donating his former desk to the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York.

Zurich donates the desk used by its one-time employee Franklin D. Roosevelt to the FDR Presidential Library to celebrate President's Day and 100 years of insuring America. (Photo: Business Wire)

The unearthing of the desk is also shedding new light on the little-known business career of one of America’s most well-known leaders. Before his career in politics, President Roosevelt served from 1921 through 1928 as a Vice President in the New York City office and member of the Board of Directors of The Fidelity and Deposit Company of Maryland, now a Zurich-owned company.

“As we look back on our history and involvement in building America, we’re reminded of the legacy of our leaders,” said Mike Foley, CEO of Zurich North America Commercial and Regional Chairman of the Americas, Zurich Financial Services. “FDR did so much to build this country just as Zurich’s leaders and employees have worked tirelessly to help our customers build the America we know today over the last 100 years. We’re so proud to share this piece of history with the public.”

"I am delighted Zurich has decided to give Franklin Roosevelt's desk from the Fidelity & Deposit Company to the Roosevelt Library,” said Lynn Bassanese, acting director, of FDR Presidential Library and Museum. “The desk helps tell the story of one of the most critical periods in FDR's life, from 1920-1928, when he struggled to recover from polio and used his position with F&D to benefit the company as well as maintain his contacts with important leaders in business and politics.”

James A. Black, the former vice president of Claims had the desk transferred from New York to Baltimore during the mid-1980s. He subsequently learned that the desk had once been used by President Roosevelt. Robert L. Lawrence who currently serves as vice president of Surety & Financial Claims for Zurich worked at the desk from 1994 - 2009. Lawrence had a discreet plaque attached to the inside right panel of the desk that reads, "This is the desk used by Franklin Delano Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States, in his capacity as vice president of The Fidelity & Deposit Company of Maryland, 1920 - 1928."

“We had the plaque installed to make sure the desk's provenance would never be in question,” said Lawrence.

The desk will be on display at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum after upcoming renovations are completed in 2013. Documents from President Roosevelt’s eight-years of employment will also be included in the archive collection including the original, signed letter from President Roosevelt resigning from his board of director position at F&D after being elected governor of New York. An additional handwritten, signed letter, photo with President Roosevelt taken on December 29, 1928, and the original newspaper article announcing President Roosevelt joining F&D in January 1921 will also be donated by Zurich.

To learn more about the journey of FDR’s desk throughout F&D and Zurich, go to http://bit.ly/wl8nza

For more information about the desk and the Zurich centennial, go to http://www.zurichna.com/100

About Zurich

Zurich Financial Services Group (Zurich) is a leading multi-line insurance provider with a global network of subsidiaries and offices in Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia-Pacific and the Middle East as well as other markets. 2012 marksZurich's 100 year anniversary of insuring America and the success of its customers, shareholders and employees. Zurich first brought its knowledge and experience in workers' compensation insurance from Switzerland to America in 1912 to help its customers take intelligent risks and help build the America known today. Zurich now offers a wide range of general insurance and life insurance products and services for individuals, small businesses, mid-sized and large companies as well as multinational corporations.

For more information about Zurich's 100 year anniversary of insuring America, go to http://www.zurichna.com/100

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50173783&lang=en

Zurich, North AmericaJennifer Nowacki(847) 605-6511
[email protected]

Source: Zurich