Tugwell Cabin

The Tugwell Cabin was moved from Clark's Island (previously known as Tugwell Island) to the museum grounds in 2000. Donated by Floyd 'Red' Clark, the cabin was the former retreat of Rexford Tugwell, a Wilson resident who was an important advisor to President Franklin D. Roosevelt (1930s) and became the governor of Puerto Rico (1941-46).

Tugwell Island

The original site of Tugwell's cabin was Tugwell Island (previously known as Wintergreen Island). Today, the Tuscarora Yacht Club sits on this small island, located inside the entrance to Wilson Harbor. In this photo, as skaters enjoy the frozen ice of the harbor, the cabin can be seen sitting on top of a first-story garage. In the 1960s when Floyd 'Red' Clark purchased this property, the island was renamed Clark Island and the cabin was moved to the mainland, across from Mr. Clark's home. In the 1980s, Mr. Clark donated the cabin to the Historical Society and it was moved to the museum grounds in 2000, where it sits today.

Rex's Retreat

Rexford Tugwell was an American economist who became part of President Franklin D. Roosevelt's 'Brain Trust'. Together with other academics from Columbia University, he was instrumental in developing policies that eventually led to FDR's New Deal.

Mr. Tugwell was a Wilson resident from 1900-1933. His family's cottage was also located on Tugwell Island, but this cabin is where Rex would retreat to, while working and writing.

Tugwell the Author

In addition to his work in politics, Tugwell taught at the college level and wrote several books and academic articles.

He wrote biographies about Grover Cleveland (1968) and Franklin D. Roosevelt (1957), as well as his own memoir entitled A Stricken Land (1947), recounting his time as Puerto Rico's governor. Tugwell books owned by the Historical Society include The Light of Other Days (1962) and American Economic Life and the Means of Its Improvement (1925).