Turkish President Gül makes surprise visit to Roosevelt Library

NEW YORK

Lynn Bassanese, left, executive director of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum, speaks with President Abdullah Gül, of Turkey, center, and Hayrunnisa Gül, first lady of Turkey, before a private tour on Sunday, Sept. 22, 2013, in Hyde Park, N.Y. AP Photo/The Journal, Spencer Ainsley

Turkish President Abdullah Gül made a surprise visit to the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum on Sept. 22.

The president toured the Henry Wallace Center and the Roosevelt home, and laid a bouquet of roses at the grave site of Franklin and Eleanor Roosevelt, Poughkeepsie Journal website reported. Gül was greeted by David Roosevelt, grandson of Franklin D. Roosevelt. “Welcome to our family home,” David Roosevelt said.

 The library in Hyde Park, New York, was the first presidential library to be built in the United States, in 1941. The visit was closed to press. He was accompanied by his spouse, Hayrünnisa Gül.