Park 17: Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

5/15/13. We continued our day in New York by walking down to the Theodore Roosevelt National Historic Site on 20th street. According to the National Park website:

Theodore Roosevelt, the 26th President of the United States, lived at this site from his birth on October 27, 1858 until he was 14 years old. The reconstructed house contains five period rooms, two museum galleries and a bookstore. Teedie, as young Roosevelt was nicknamed, was a sickly but bright boy, from a wealthy family. To improve his health, Teedie began an exercise program at the house's outdoor gymnasium that started a lifelong passion for the "strenuous life." After graduating from Harvard, Roosevelt pursued his boyhood dreams, as a rancher, naturalist, explorer, author and Colonel of the Rough Riders. His political service included reforming the U.S. Civil Service Commission and New York City Police Department, and terms as Governor of New York and Vice President of the U.S.

Theodore Roosevelt became president when William McKinley was assassinated in September 1901. As President, Roosevelt pushed progressive reforms, such as conservation of public lands and trust busting, and negotiated an end to the war between Russia and Japan, for which he won a Nobel Peace Prize. Roosevelt's original birthplace was demolished in 1916. After Roosevelt's death in 1919, the site was purchased by the Women's Roosevelt Memorial Association, rebuilt and decorated with many of its original furnishings by Roosevelt's sisters and wife.

We had a terrific tour of the rooms on the second and third floors of the house. The volunteer tour guide must have been a history or political science professor - and a good one! He made the tour fascinating and he knew so much about the house, the architecture, the family, and Teedie. It was difficult standing still listening and I wish there had been some place to sit, but the talk itself was very well done.

After an hour or so we were done, and we walked back up to Penn Station for our train home. We ended the day knowing a lot more about the early history of New York City and our country in general. A great day!