Theodore Roosevelt in Oyster Bay facts for kids

Theodore Roosevelt, a famous American president, first visited Oyster Bay with his family in 1874. This beautiful town on Long Island, New York, became a very important place for him as he grew up and became a powerful leader. Many of his big plans and achievements happened here. Even today, you can visit several places in Oyster Bay that were part of his life. After he passed away in 1919, many memorials were built in Oyster Bay to remember him.

Theodore Roosevelt's Time in Oyster Bay

The life of Theodore Roosevelt was closely tied to Oyster Bay. Here's a timeline of important events:

• 1874 - Young Theodore Roosevelt spends his first summer in Oyster Bay. His family rented a home called "Tranquility" on Cove Neck Road.
• 1878 - Theodore Roosevelt, Sr., his father, passes away. Memorial services are held at the First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay.
• 1880 - At 22 years old, Roosevelt buys 155 acres (about 0.6 km²) of land on Cove Neck. He plans to build a house there.
• 1884 - A very sad year for Roosevelt. His mother and his first wife, Alice, die on the same day in their New York home.
• 1885 - Work continues on his Oyster Bay home. His sister Anna and his baby daughter, Alice, live in the house.
• 1886 - Roosevelt marries his childhood friend, Edith Kermit Carow.
• 1887 - Theodore and Edith move into their new Oyster Bay home, which they name Sagamore Hill.
• 1902 - Roosevelt spends his first summer in Oyster Bay as the President of the United States.
• 1903 - He spends his second summer as President in Oyster Bay. A Civil War-era cannon, called a Parrott gun, is donated by the U.S. Navy and dedicated by President Roosevelt.
• 1904 - His third summer as President in Oyster Bay.
• 1905 - His fourth summer as President in Oyster Bay. Roosevelt helps to arrange peace in the Russo-Japanese War. The peace treaty is signed on September 5.
• 1906 - His fifth summer as President in Oyster Bay. On July 4, Roosevelt gives a speech saying, "The best way to be good citizens of this nation is to be good citizens of Oyster Bay."
• 1907 - His sixth summer as President in Oyster Bay.
• 1908 - His final summer as President in Oyster Bay.
• 1919 - Theodore Roosevelt passes away on January 6 and is buried at Youngs Memorial Cemetery.
• 1926 - A special stained-glass window, the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Window, is placed in the Matinecock Masonic Lodge building.
• 1947 - The Theodore Roosevelt Monument Assemblage is moved and dedicated in TR Memorial Park on October 25.
• 1948 - Edith Roosevelt, his wife, passes away.
• 1953 - Sagamore Hill, Roosevelt's home, opens to the public as a museum on June 14.
• 1962 - The U.S. Congress officially creates the Sagamore Hill National Historic Site on July 25. This protects the house as part of the National Park Service.
• 1981 - A new Derby-Hall Bandstand is built, looking just like the original one.
• 1984 - A bust (a sculpture of his head and shoulders) of Theodore Roosevelt by C.B. Clas is placed outside Town Hall in Oyster Bay.
• 1991 - The Theodore Roosevelt Monument Assemblage is rededicated in TR Memorial Park on June 23.
• 2005 - The Oyster Bay Long Island Rail Road Station and its turntable are added to the National Register of Historic Places.
• 2005 - A large Theodore Roosevelt Equestrian Sculpture (a statue of him on horseback) is dedicated on October 29.
• 2008 - The painting "Teddy's Fourth of July" is finished.

Places Roosevelt Knew in Oyster Bay

Many places in Oyster Bay were important to Theodore Roosevelt during his life. Some of these buildings are still standing today, while others are gone.

Places Still Standing

Sagamore Hill, Theodore Roosevelt's home in Oyster Bay.

• First Presbyterian Church of Oyster Bay - Built in 1873, this was the church Theodore Roosevelt, Sr. and his family attended. Roosevelt's father's memorial service was held here in 1878.
• Christ Church of Oyster Bay - This church was built in 1878. President Roosevelt attended services here, and his funeral service was held here before he was buried. Many family members have memorial plaques on the walls.
• Snouders Drug Store, 108 South Street - This was where the first telegraph in Oyster Bay was located. Roosevelt often used it to send orders when he was Governor and President. Reporters also used it to send news from the "Summer White House."
• Sagamore Hill National Historic Site, 20 Sagamore Hill Drive - This was the main home for Theodore and Edith Roosevelt from 1886 until they passed away. It served as the "Summer White House" for seven summers (1902–1908) when Roosevelt was President.
• Oyster Bay Long Island Rail Road Station, 102 Audrey Ave - The original train station was built in 1889 and updated in 1902. There are plans to turn this old station into a Railroad Museum.
• Octagon Hotel, 67 West Main Street - This was a popular place for social and political meetings, built in 1851. When Roosevelt was running to become Governor of New York State, his offices were located here.
• Oyster Bay Bank Building, 20 Audrey Ave - Built in 1891, Roosevelt had his offices as Governor on the second floor. He also attended Masonic meetings on the third floor when he could.
• Moore's Building, 1 East Main Street - This building was originally a grocery store built in 1901. The large second floor was often used for public meetings. When Roosevelt was President, his staff worked on the second floor.

Places That Are Gone

Some important places from Roosevelt's time in Oyster Bay have been torn down or destroyed:

• Fleet's Hall - This building was a key place for community and social gatherings when Roosevelt lived in Oyster Bay. It hosted public meetings, concerts, dances, and even the first movie screening in Oyster Bay.
• Original Bandstand, Shore Ave - This bandstand was in a park next to Town Hall. Roosevelt gave many speeches here. It was taken down in the 1930s.
• Oyster Bay Fire Company #1 - Built in 1895, this firehouse was used for a special Masonic event for Theodore Roosevelt in 1901. It was later destroyed by fire.
• Matinecock Masonic Lodge - While Roosevelt didn't visit this building as a lodge, he might have visited it when it was the Oyster Bay Inn. This building, which later housed a Masonic Museum, was destroyed by fire in 2003.

Memorials to Theodore Roosevelt

After Theodore Roosevelt passed away in 1919, many places were created in Oyster Bay to honor his memory.

• Theodore Roosevelt Sanctuary and Audubon Center - This was the first Audubon Songbird Sanctuary in the United States. 12 acres (about 48,500 m²) of land were given in 1923 by Roosevelt's cousin, W. Emlen and Christine Roosevelt, to remember him.
• Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Window - This beautiful stained-glass window was put into the Matinecock Masonic Lodge building in 1926. It was designed by a local artist, Oliver Smith.
• Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park - This lovely waterfront park gives people access to the beautiful Oyster Bay Harbor. It opened in 1928 and was given to the Town of Oyster Bay in 1942.
• U.S. Post Office, Oyster Bay - Built in 1936, this post office has five murals showing scenes from Oyster Bay's history. It also has a bust (sculpture) of Theodore Roosevelt outside.
• Theodore Roosevelt Monument Assemblage - This monument was moved from Great Neck and rededicated in Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Park on October 25, 1947.
• Derby-Hall Bandstand, Shore Ave - A new bandstand was built in 1981 to look exactly like the original one that was taken down in the 1930s.
• Theodore Roosevelt Bust, 74 Audrey Avenue - This sculpture of Theodore Roosevelt's head and shoulders was created by C.B. Clas and placed outside Town Hall. It is well cared for.
• Theodore Roosevelt Monument Assemblage - The monument that was moved in 1947 was rededicated again on June 23, 1991.
• Theodore Roosevelt Equestrian Sculpture - This large statue of Roosevelt on horseback was made from a mold created by Alexander Phimister Proctor in 1921. It was cast and brought to Oyster Bay, dedicated on October 29, 2005.
• Teddy's Fourth of July - This painting by Mort Kunstler shows Theodore Roosevelt riding in a Model T car on July 4, 1908, with the Moore's Building in the background. It was completed in 2008.