Your TR Source
“I hope to pay one last visit to the ranch, with little Ted, who will then be nearly eleven; and I shall think of you very often, riding over the immense rolling plains, with their mat of short, sun-scorched grass; for it has always seemed to me that we two felt those plains as no one else I have ever seen does,” wrote Theodore Roosevelt to Patty Selmes in 1897.
Established by an Act of the First Territorial Legislature on November 7, 1864, the Arizona Historical Society (AHS) is Arizona’s oldest historical agency. The items in their collections illuminate Roosevelt’s relationship to the Great Plains, as well as his connections to the Selmes, Greenway, and Ferguson families. Isabella Greenway was the first U.S. congresswoman in Arizona history, as well as the daughter of Patty Selmes. The Selmes family called North Dakota home.
Materials in this collection include correspondence from Gutzon Borglum regarding the creation of Mount Rushmore, letters examining national politics, as well as items relating to the history of the Rough Riders. Most importantly, this collection shows the value Roosevelt and his family placed on developing and preserving relationships over a lifetime.
See below to view items from this collection.
Kermit Roosevelt had a successful hunting trip in Great Britain. Roosevelt asks Robert Henry Munro Ferguson to let him know when she will be in New York and encloses a Kate Greenaway picture for Martha and Robert Munro Ferguson.
1912-06-20
Kermit Roosevelt was sorry to hear about Mrs. Luttrell. He is en route to South America and his boss, who is also aboard, is very nice. Roosevelt will be back for a holiday in about two years.
1912-08-12
Kermit Roosevelt describes his job duties on the railroad. He recently became an inspector of traffic. The forest is lovely and Roosevelt has been very interested in the butterflies and birds.
1913-03-15
Kermit Roosevelt describes his work for the railroad and says he is enjoying it. He expresses his sympathy at the death of Robert Harry Munro Ferguson’s sister. Roosevelt acknowledges receiving a Rudyard Kipling book.
1913-01-25
Kermit Roosevelt was unable to attend the wedding but Ethel Roosevelt finally married Richard Derby. He has a new job working for the Anglo-Brazilian Forging, Steel Structural, and Importing Company.
1913-05-18
Kermit Roosevelt describes his new job and life in Brazil. He believes Brazil has a bright future.
1913-10-28
Kermit Roosevelt expresses his gratitude for the telegram, letter, and flowers from Isabella Ferguson. Belle Roosevelt is feeling better and they hope to visit the Fergusons soon.
1914
Kermit and Belle Roosevelt will be returning to the United States for a visit and he hopes to be able to introduce Belle to the Fergusons. They had a fun honeymoon and are very happy together.
1914-06-22
Meeting minutes of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission, including the appointment of Louis B. Hanna and the renegotiation of Gutzon Borglum’s contract.
1937-07-12
Contract between Gutzon Borglum and the Mount Rushmore National Commission outlining services to be rendered by Borglum and the payments to be made to him. The contract also outlines the scope of the work and the responsibilities to be undertaken by the commission.
1937
Gutzon Borglum will be publishing another Rushmore magazine for 1936. He would like Representative Greenway to contribute 50 to 200 words in the next 30 days. Borglum praises Greenway, stating that she can understand what it means to visualize Mount Rushmore and put it into words.
1936-02-19
Gutzon Borglum has not heard from Representative Greenway in a long time. He encloses a letter he has written to Eleanor Roosevelt due to Greenway’s position in national affairs and her acquaintance with Roosevelt.
1936-05-13
President Roosevelt has confidentially told Gutzon Borglum that he will be visiting Mount Rushmore. Borglum plans to officially unveil the “great heads” of George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and Abraham Lincoln during the visit. He suggests that Representative Greenway could deliver a speech.
1936-07-13
Gutzon Borglum outlines the original philosophy and purpose behind the selection of the figures for Mount Rushmore National Memorial.
1936-05-13
The National Federation of Business and Professional Women’s Clubs has taken action to support S. 4295, which amends the act creating the Mount Rushmore National Monument to include Susan B. Anthony.
1936-08-06
President Roosevelt has confirmed that he will be visiting Mount Rushmore National Memorial. Gutzon Borglum would like Representative Greenway to attend.
1936-08-11
Gutzon Borglum has received no further word from President Roosevelt, but the rumor is that he will not be visiting Mount Rushmore. Borglum advises Representative Greenway not to make the trip.
1936-08-18
Financial statement of the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission for January 1935. Statement includes receipts and disbursements.
1935-02-01
An act amending the act that created the Mount Rushmore National Memorial Commission. The amendment made the commission’s quorum six members and states that no commissioner is to be compensated but expenses can be paid.
1938-06-15
President Roosevelt reviews the second plan on government reorganization which will reorganize the administrative management of the executive branch by “a more logical grouping of existing units and functions and by a further reduction in the number of independent agencies.”
1939-05-09