Welcome back to National Parks and other public lands with T!
Birthplace of the 26th President➢
The Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site in New York City commemorates the childhood home of Theodore Roosevelt. Martha Roosevelt gave birth to him in the family’s 20th Street brownstone townhouse, with the assistance of a physician and other household members. Roosevelt, the 26th president of the United States, spent the first 14 years of his life there.
During these formative years, Roosevelt faced significant challenges, including severe asthma, which deeply influenced his early experiences and shaped his later commitment to physical fitness and rugged outdoor activities. This period was also when he developed his love of nature, history, and learning, interests that would define much of his life and career.
The original brownstone townhouse was demolished in 1916 by its then-owner, who wanted to replace it with a commercial structure. At that time, the historical preservation movement was not as widespread or organized as it is today, and the significance of preserving such sites was often overlooked.
The Women’s Roosevelt Memorial Association later acquired the property in 1923 and reconstructed the building to honor Roosevelt’s legacy. The rebuilt house was designed to resemble the original structure as closely as possible, based on photographs, family recollections, and surviving artifacts. Roosevelt’s widow and sisters provided furnishings and information about the interior’s appearance during TR’s childhood. Today, it serves as a testament to Roosevelt’s early life and his impact on American history.
Tom’s Quest➢
In early 2023, Tom, a member of the NPTC, posted his itinerary for his “One Year – One Quest” journey. He aimed to visit all 425 National Park Service units in one year’s time. I decided to meet him in NYC when I saw he’d be visiting Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace on a Saturday, a unit I hadn’t yet been to. Tom did complete his remarkable quest in November.
We began our tour by watching the park’s film. The film needs some updating. It appears to have been produced in the 70s. But it does give some interesting information about TR’s childhood. For instance, one of the “cures” for his asthma was cigar smoke!
Next we toured the home with one of the rangers. As we toured the rooms, the ranger told stories which provided insights into Roosevelt’s upbringing and how his experiences shaped his values and leadership style. An interesting tidbit: he showed us a photo of TR and his brother in the window of his grandfather’s home, a couple of blocks away. They were watching Abraham Lincoln’s funeral procession.
Theodore Roosevelt Posts➢
Location: 28 E 20th St, New York, NY
Designation: National Historic Site
Date designated/established: October 15, 1966
Date of my visit: April 1, 2023
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