The Little White House State Historic Site at 401 Little White House Rd in Warm Springs, west Georgia, preserves the modest cottage that served as the personal retreat and therapeutic refuge of Franklin D. Roosevelt, 32nd President of the United States, from 1932 until his death there on April 12, 1945. Warm Springs drew Roosevelt beginning in 1924 because of its warm mineral springs, which he believed provided relief for the paralysis caused by the poliomyelitis he contracted in 1921. He visited Warm Springs more than any other location during his presidency, and the small white clapboard house — just six rooms — served as an informal White House where wartime decisions were made.
The site today comprises the cottage, the servant quarters, a garage, and a series of museum buildings. The cottage is preserved exactly as it was at the moment of Roosevelt's death on April 12, 1945. The watercolor portrait that Georgia artist Elizabeth Shoumatoff was painting when he collapsed — known as the Unfinished Portrait — is displayed alongside the original wheelchair, personal effects, and period furnishings in the rooms where he spent his final hours. The scene has a quality of frozen time that distinguishes it from most presidential historic sites.
The adjacent museum presents Roosevelt's political career, the New Deal, US engagement in World War II, and the therapeutic development of Warm Springs as a poliomyelitis treatment center. A separate gallery covers the Georgia Warm Springs Foundation, now Roosevelt Warm Springs Institute for Rehabilitation, which Roosevelt helped establish here. Admission is $10 for adults. The site is 70 miles southwest of Atlanta via I-85 and GA-18. Free parking is available on site.
The rural setting in west Georgia's Pine Mountain corridor means there is no public transit access — a car is required. Callaway Gardens, 25 miles north on US-27, can be combined for a full west Georgia day trip.
Good to know
- Hours
- Daily 9:00 AM – 4:45 PM (last entry 4:00 PM); closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
- Best time
- Weekday mornings in spring or fall
Location
401 Little White House Rd, Warm Springs, GA 31830
32.8897, -84.6924 View on map
Highlights
- The cottage preserved as of April 12, 1945: the rooms where FDR died, frozen in time
- The Unfinished Portrait: Elizabeth Shoumatoff's watercolor abandoned when Roosevelt collapsed
- FDR's original wheelchair and period-accurate furnishings throughout the six-room cottage
- Museum covering the New Deal, WWII leadership, and Roosevelt's connection to Warm Springs
- Georgia Warm Springs Foundation gallery: the history of polio treatment and the rehabilitation institute
Tips for visiting
- Allow 90 minutes to two and a half hours for the museum, cottage, and gallery buildings
- The cottage visit is self-guided at the visitor's own pace — rangers are available near the entrance for questions
- Free parking is available on site — uncommon among Georgia historic attractions
- Combine with Callaway Gardens (25 miles north on US-27) for a full west Georgia day trip from Atlanta
- The site is open daily 9 AM – 4:45 PM with last entry at 4 PM; closed Thanksgiving and Christmas
When to visit
Weekday mornings in spring or fall offer the quietest conditions. The site receives lighter visitor traffic than Atlanta's major museums year-round, making it comfortable to visit even on weekends during peak travel seasons.
Accessibility
The Little White House museum building and grounds are wheelchair accessible. The cottage interior has a narrow entrance and period flooring that may present challenges for some wheelchairs — contact the site in advance for specific accommodation details. Free accessible parking is available in the on-site lot.
Frequently asked questions
What makes the Little White House historically significant?
The cottage is preserved exactly as it appeared at the moment of Roosevelt's death on April 12, 1945, including the unfinished portrait being painted when he collapsed. This preserved-in-time quality creates one of the most atmospheric presidential historic sites in the United States.
How long should visitors allow for the Little White House?
A thorough visit to the cottage and all museum buildings takes 90 minutes to two and a half hours. Visitors focused on the cottage itself can see it in 45–60 minutes.
Is the Little White House easy to reach without a car?
No — the site is in rural Warm Springs with no public transit access. A car is essential. The drive from Atlanta is approximately 70 miles southwest via I-85 and GA-18, taking about 1 hour 15 minutes.