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 | Summer 2023 |
| Completed | projected 2026 |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Snøhetta |
The Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library is a special museum being built to celebrate the life of Theodore Roosevelt. He was the 26th president of the United States. This library will be located near Medora, North Dakota. It is close to Theodore Roosevelt National Park. This park protects places where Roosevelt traveled between 1883 and 1887.
A spot in the Badlands of Medora was chosen in 2020. The main design company, Snøhetta, and another architect, JLG Architects, were also picked then. Construction on the library began in the summer of 2023. It is expected to be finished in 2026.
Designing the Library
A large area of about 93 acres was chosen for the library in March 2020. This land is about 1.5 miles west of Medora. It is near the Burning Hills Amphitheater. It is also close to the entrance of Theodore Roosevelt National Park.
The chosen area has grasslands and unique Badland terrain. Part of the Maah Daah Hey Trail runs through it. This land used to belong to the U.S. Forest Service. Congress passed a law to allow the land to be sold for the library. The site is on top of a flat-topped hill, called a butte.
Many architecture companies wanted to design the library. Forty firms were first considered. This list was narrowed down to fourteen. Then, three finalists were chosen: Snøhetta, Studio Gang, and Henning Larsen.
These three companies were given money to create their design ideas. Snøhetta was chosen in September 2020. They are famous for designing places like 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 area are very excited about the project. Also, Theodore Roosevelt had a very strong connection to the state.
Theodore Roosevelt first visited the North Dakota Badlands on September 8, 1883. He came to hunt buffalo. But he soon fell in love with the land. He even 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, it would be "my life on the ranch." He felt close to nature and the people who lived there. Roosevelt also believed his time in North Dakota helped him understand himself and others. He famously stated that he "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 became available after the library's foundation raised $100 million for construction. The foundation has now reached this goal.
People Supporting the Library
Linda Pancratz is the leader of the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library Foundation Board of Trustees. She is also the CEO of Mountain Capital.
Edward O'Keefe, who knows a lot about Roosevelt, is the CEO of the library project.
Doug Burgum, who is the United States Secretary of the Interior and used to be North Dakota's governor, supports the library. He believes it is a chance to honor "one of the most dynamic, influential, and world-changing presidents." He also thinks the library will help North Dakota's economy and tourism.
Theodore Roosevelt V, who is Roosevelt's great-great grandson, has also strongly supported the library. The Roosevelt family has bought the 90.3 acres of land where the library will stand.
Library History
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 will now be on a long-term loan to the Theodore Roosevelt Presidential Library.
The library is still deciding how and where to display the statue. The statue has caused some discussion because it shows African and Native American figures below Roosevelt.
