Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library |
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| General information | |
| Location | Medora, North Dakota, United States |
| Coordinates | 46°54′58″N 103°33′08″W / 46.91611°N 103.55222°W |
| Named for | Theodore Roosevelt |
| Construction started | projected 2023 |
| Completed | projected 2026 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Snøhetta |
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is a new museum being planned to celebrate the life and achievements of Theodore Roosevelt. He was the 26th president of the United States. This special library will be built near Medora, North Dakota, close to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This park protects places important to Roosevelt's time in North Dakota from 1883 to 1887. In 2020, a spot in the Badlands near Medora was chosen for the library. The design will be created by a company called Snøhetta.
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Designing the Library
In March 2020, a 93-acre (38 ha) area was picked for the library. This land is about 1.5 miles (2.4 km) west of Medora. It is also near the Burning Hills Amphitheater and the entrance to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. The chosen land is owned by the U.S. Forest Service. It includes parts of the Maah Daah Hey Trail, with grasslands and unique Badland terrain.
The U.S. Congress passed a law to allow this land to be sold for the library. The site is on top of a flat-topped hill, called a butte. This butte is close to where the famous Medora Musical takes place.
Many architecture companies wanted to design the library. Forty firms were first considered, then fourteen were invited to compete. After many interviews, three companies were chosen as finalists: Snøhetta, Studio Gang, and Henning Larsen. Each company was paid to create their ideas for the design.
In September 2020, Snøhetta was chosen to design the library. This company is well-known for designing famous buildings. Some of their past projects include the National September 11 Museum and the Oslo Opera House.
Why North Dakota?
The library is being built in North Dakota for a few important reasons. People in the state are very excited about the project. Also, Theodore Roosevelt had a very strong personal connection to North Dakota.
Theodore Roosevelt first visited the North Dakota Badlands on September 8, 1883. He came to hunt buffalo. But he soon felt a deep connection to the land. He liked it so much that he bought two ranches there: the Maltese Cross and the Elkhorn.
Roosevelt returned to North Dakota after a very sad time in his life. Both his wife, Alice, and his mother, Mittie, died on the same day in 1884. He found comfort and strength in the quiet landscape. Roosevelt famously said that this region is where the "romance of my life began."
Roosevelt always remembered his time in North Dakota fondly. He once said that if he could only keep one memory from his life, it would be his time on the ranch. He loved being close to nature and the people who lived there. Roosevelt also believed that his experiences in North Dakota helped him become president. He said, "I never would have been President if it had not been for my experiences in North Dakota."
In 2019, the North Dakota Legislative Assembly agreed to give $50 million to help run the library. This money would be available once the library raised $100 million for building costs. The library foundation has now reached this goal, so the $50 million is ready to be used.
People Behind the Library
Many people are working to make the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library happen. Linda Pancratz is the Chair of the Library Foundation Board. Edward O'Keefe, who has studied Roosevelt, is the CEO.
Governor Doug Burgum of North Dakota strongly supports the library. He believes it's a great chance to honor one of America's most important presidents. He also thinks the library will help North Dakota's economy, education, and tourism. Theodore Roosevelt V, who is President Roosevelt's great-great grandson, is also a big supporter. The Roosevelt family has bought the land where the library will be built.
Library History and Statue
In January 2022, a large statue of Theodore Roosevelt was moved. This statue used to stand outside the American Museum of Natural History in New York City. It showed Roosevelt on horseback with an African man and a Native American man walking beside him. This statue caused some disagreement because of how the figures were shown.
The statue will now be on a long-term loan to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library. The library is still deciding exactly where and how to display the statue on its grounds.
