Explore the Boyhood Home of Theodore Roosevelt in Manhattan, New York
The boyhood home of Theodore Roosevelt, the first US president to be born in New York City.
His “speak softly and carry a big stick” ideology is still quoted today.
Raised in a Manhattan townhouse till he was 15, he would grow up to be our 26th president and become immortalized on Mount Rushmore with Washington, Lincoln and Jefferson.
The house that originally stood on the site was built in 1848 and was bought by the Roosevelt’s in 1854.
Roosevelt’s grandfather Cornelius Van Schaack Roosevelt, grew very wealthy from a successful plate glass business, Roosevelt and Sons. Cornelius was so wealthy that he purchased houses as wedding presents for each of his five sons when they married.
His father Theodore senior and his mother Martha “Maddie” moved into their new Brownstone home in 1854.
Roosevelt was born on October 27th 1858 and lived there until 1872 with his two sisters and brother.
He started his life as a sickly child with brutal asthma attacks, yet he was a bright boy who exercised to improve his health and began a lifelong passion for the strenuous life.
Roosevelt commanded the first US Volunteer Cavalry during the Spanish-American War. He recruited the Rough Riders from cowboys, businessmen and outdoorsman. They trained in Texas and Florida before leaving for Cuba and the charge of San Juan Hill on July 1st 1898 which they are most famous.
Roosevelt ascended to the presidency following the assassination of William McKinley in 1901 at the age of 42.
He was elected to a full term in the 1904 presidential election and served until 1909.
He was a leader during a time of economic growth and is known for his conservation efforts and progressive policies.
Roosevelt established the National Park Service, which protects natural resources for future generations.
The purpose of the memorial is to commemorate the founding, expansion and preservation and unification of the United States.
The gallery includes a series of 1865 period rooms with original objects that relate the story of young Theodore Roosevelt, his ranch days, presidency and exploration period.
The home features an array of items from pivotal moments in Roosevelt’s life, including the bullet-pierced shirt and speech from his 1912 assassination attempt.
While campaigning to run for president again, John Schrank shot Roosevelt, but the bullet lodged in Roosevelt’s chest only after hitting both the steel eyeglass case and his 50 page thick copy of his speech.
He delivered his scheduled speech with blood seeping into his shirt and completed talking in 50 minutes.
He proclaimed himself “I’m as fit as a Bull Moose”.
Roosevelt passed away January 6th 1919, with the bullet still embedded in his chest.
The site visitors see and experience today is not the original brownstone in which Teddy Roosevelt grew up. The site was recreated and open to the public in 1923 as a museum and museum.
Admission is free the guided tours last about an hour.
It’s proudly operated by the National Park Service.
David Garland NY New York Feb 28, 2025 History Museums National Parks
Feb 28, 2025
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