Sagamore Hill (house)

Infobox_nrhp2 | name =Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
nhs = yes


caption =
location= Cove Neck, New York
lat_degrees = 40
lat_minutes = 53
lat_seconds = 8
lat_direction = N
long_degrees = 73
long_minutes = 29
long_seconds = 51
long_direction = W
locmapin = New York
built =1884
architect= Lamb & Rich; LaForge,C. Grant
architecture= Queen Anne
added = October 15, 1966cite web|url=http://www.nr.nps.gov/|title=National Register Information System|date=2008-04-15|work=National Register of Historic Places|publisher=National Park Service]
area = 83.02 acres (0.34 km²)
established_nhs = July 25, 1962
visitation_num = 38,009
visitation_year = 2005
governing_body = National Park Service
refnum=66000096

Sagamore Hill was the home of the 26th President of the United States Theodore Roosevelt from 1886 until his death in 1919. It is located at the end of Cove Neck Road, Cove Neck, New York, on Long Island,Bleyer, Bill. " [http://www.newsday.com/features/printedition/longislandlife/ny-lfcov08,0,5856204.story When LI place names don't reflect the map] ". "Newsday". Accessed on October 9, 2007.] 25 miles (40 km) east of Manhattan.

It derives its name from Sagamore which is the title of the head of an Indian tribe.

Although a native of New York City, Theodore Roosevelt spent many summers of his youth on extended vacations with his family in the Oyster Bay area. In 1880, by then a young adult of 22, Roosevelt purchased convert|155|acre|km2 of land for $30,000 on Cove Neck, a small peninsula roughly convert|2|mi|km northeast of the village of Oyster Bay. In 1884 he hired the New York architectural firm Lamb & Rich to design a shingle-style, Queen Anne home for the property. The home was completed for $16,975.

The house and its surrounding farmland became the primary residence of Theodore and Edith Roosevelt for the rest of their lives. Sagamore Hill took on its greatest importance when it became known as the "Summer White House" during the seven summers (1902-1908) Roosevelt spent there as President. Roosevelt died at Sagamore Hill in January 1919 and, according to his wishes, was buried in the small Youngs Memorial Cemetery, just one mile (1.6 km) from his home. Edith Roosevelt continued to occupy the property until her death, nearly three decades later, in September 1948. The house was first opened to the public as a museum on June 14, 1953.

On July 25, 1962 Congress established Sagamore Hill National Historic Site to preserve the house as a unit of the National Park Service. As with all historic areas administered by the National Park Service, Sagamore Hill was listed on the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966. [National Register of Historic Places, listed October 15, 1966.] The twenty-three room house is open to the public by guided tour, and almost all the furnishings are original. The other attraction at the site is the Theodore Roosevelt Museum, which chronicles the life and career of the President. The museum is housed in the Old Orchard building, the former residence of Brigadier General Theodore Roosevelt Jr. and his family.

Hours of Operation

To enter the home of the former President you must purchase tickets at the Sagamore Hill Visitor Center. Tickets are $5 for adults and free for children under the age of 15. Guided tours of the home are guaranteed on the hour.

The site is open for visitation seven days a week from Memorial Day to Labor Day. During the fall and winter months it is open Wednesday through Sunday and closed Mondays and Tuesdays.

Theodore Roosevelt's 150th Birthday

Sagamore Hill National Historic Site will be celebrating the former President's Sesquicentennial Celebration the weekend of October 25-27th, 2008.

Activities will begin on Saturday, October 25th with a parade honoring Roosevelt through the town of Oyster Bay.

On Sunday, October 26th Sagamore Hill will be holding a Family Festival from 11 a.m.-5 p.m. which will host events such as, traditional music and storytelling, child's entertainment, demonstations and exhibits and also will have authors and family memeber attending including Stacy Cordery (author of Alice: Alice Roosevelt Longworth, from White House Princess to Washington Power Broker).

On Monday, October 27th from 11 a.m.-4p.m. events celebrating the anniversary of the President's birth will include a special raising of a 32 Star Flag Ceremony as well as the United States Navy Band playing music from Roosevelt's era.

All events are free of charge (with exceptions) and open for the public to attend, Rain or Shine.

References

* "The National Parks: Index 2001–2003". Washington: U.S. Department of the Interior.

External links

*Official NPS website: [http://www.nps.gov/sahi/ Sagamore Hill National Historic Site]
* [http://www.teddyroosevelt.com TeddyRoosevelt.com: Sagamore's Man of the House]
* [http://www.sagamore-hill.com/ Friends of Sagamore Hill ]
* [http://www.theodoreRoosevelt.org More info on Sagamore at the Theodore Roosevelt Organization's Web site]