Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace imagery

Theodore Roosevelt Birthplace National Historic Site

A reconstruction of our 26th President's first home on its original site in Manhattan

THINGS TO DO

EXHIBITS: Hundreds of original items from Roosevelt's colorful life are on view in the gallery, including a shirt, pierced with a bullet hole, that Roosevelt was wearing when shot by a would-be assassin.

TOURS: Park Ranger guided tours of the period rooms, lasting approximately 30 minutes each, are available at 10am, 11am, 1pm, 2pm, 3pm and 4pm.

Theodore Roosevelt and conservationist John Muir at Yosemite

Theodore Roosevelt and conservationist John Muir in Yosemite Valley, before Congress proclaimed it a national park.

Origins of Our Primary System

In 1912, a lost bid for the Republican presidential nomination, despite a victory in direct popular vote state primaries, emboldened Roosevelt to create his own Progressive Party to stay in the race. Though he would go on to lose the general election for a third-term presidency, his refusal to ignore the voice of the people launched the presidential primary system we see at work today.

East 20th Street between Park Avenue South and Broadway is also known by another name. This charming restaurant and shop-lined block in the wealthy Gramercy neighborhood of Manhattan is clearly marked as Theodore Roosevelt Way. America's 26th President was born at No. 28 on October 27, 1858 and lived there until he was 14 years old. Today, on this exact site, stands a reconstruction of his original home.

Five fully furnished period rooms offer insight into the life of a wealthy New York family in the 1860s. Approximately one half of the objects are from the original Roosevelt family residence, the remainder are of the period. Two galleries offer extensive collections illustrating TR's military and political careers, family life and hunting and exploring trips with taxidermy specimens and volumes from his library.

Teedie, as young Roosevelt was nicknamed, was a sickly but bright and lively boy. 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 natural and historical resources for the American people. Widely known as the "Conservationist President", he established 5 national parks and 18 national monuments. He also negotiated an end to the war between Russia and Japan, for which he won a Nobel Peace Prize.

Demolished in 1916, the site of original birthplace was purchased by the Women's Roosevelt Memorial Association after Teddy's death in 1919. The house was rebuilt and decorated by Roosevelt's wife and sisters as they remembered it from their childhood.