Linnea McGowan Calder

1911-1996

Submitted by Heather Waddingham

January 20, 2004

Linnea McGowan, the daughter of Anna Mattson and Edgar McGowan, was born in May 1911. Her father, who died in 1918, was caretaker of the Roosevelt family houses on Campobello Island, New Brunswick and her mother was employed as a laundress with the Roosevelt family. In October 1926, Linnea and her mother went to Hyde Park, New York for the winter, where Anna McGowan was employed as a housekeeper for Eleanor Roosevelt at "Valkill". After Christmas, she performed housekeeping tasks for Mrs. James Roosevelt at "Springwood". Linnea attended Arlington High School as a sophomore.

Shortly after her return to Campobello, Linnea McGowan, aged 16, married Russell Calder, a butcher, 8 years her senior. In 1936 Mrs. James Roosevelt lent the Calders money to set up a grocery store and delivery service. Russell used a refrigerated cabin on a truck to pick up supplies on the mainland and then deliver them to most of the island's summer residents. In late December 1937, Russell died of meningitis leaving Linnea with three young children to raise. After several years, Linnea sold the store and truck and purchased a half-ton truck for road work. She was only the second woman on Campobello Island to obtain a driver's license.

Eventuallly she returned to work for the Roosevelts, this time for Eleanor, wife of F.D.R., then president of the United States. She also worked for other summer residents including Mrs. Adams, the Gallaghers, and the Harritys. Both Linnea and her daughter Vera worked for the Adams family. Linnea did laundry work and Vera was a waitress. Because she held a driver's license, Linnea also ran a taxi service for summer residents only and acted as mail courrier. The Roosevelt "cottage" was eventually sold to philanthropist Dr. Armand Hammer.

Linnea also worked as caretaker for the Hammers, who occupied the premises for several years before the home became an international tourist attraction. Linnea gave up her mail service position to join the Roosevelt International Park Commission. She worked for the commission for a number of years in various capacities, ending her career as a historian consultant. The devotion of Linnea Calder and her family to the Roosevelt family was reciprocated. As late as 1988, when Linnea was 77, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Jr.'s widow invited Linnea to attend the memorial service in New York City for her husband. Linnea accepted the invitation and sat with the family at the service.

SCOPE AND CONTENT: This fonds contains transcriptions and sound recordings of interviews with Linnea Calder. Calder talks about growing up on Campobello and her work with the Roosevelt family. The fonds also contains a printed item, FDR's "Beloved Island", A Guide Book on Franklin Delano Roosevelt's Cottage at Campobello by Bette E. Barber, 1962

CUSTODIAL HISTORY: Interviews recorded by Janet Toole of the Provincial Archives of New Brunswick oral history program in September and October 1988.

Source: Archives Canada Web Page http://www.archivescanada.ca/english/search/BasicSearch.asp

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