Your TR Source
Sagamore Hill was the home of Theodore Roosevelt, 26th President of the United States, from 1885 until his death in 1919. The collections held at Sagamore Hill National Historic Site are a combination of archival and artifact collections. Many of these collections were simply in the house when it was handed over to the National Park Service in 1962.
This collection has been digitized and cataloged on site at Sagamore Hill and then received by digital library staff. Our digital library currently holds four collections from Sagamore Hill, two of which have been reviewed and are included in the digital library. See below to view items from this collection in the digital library.
The Quentin Roosevelt collection contains report cards, school work, and correspondence from Quentin to his parents both from school and during World War I. It also includes the many newspaper articles and letters of condolence received by the family following Quentin’s death in combat in 1918. The Frank Harper collection primarily contains items pertaining to Theodore Roosevelt’s South American trip in 1913. Harper was Theodore Roosevelt’s personal secretary at the time. Menus, programs, tickets, invitations and newspaper articles chronicling Roosevelt’s tour of South American countries are the bulk of that collection.
Digitization of items at the National Park sites was possible through National Park Service Centennial Challenge funding in partnership with Dickinson State University.
Report is signed by Headmaster Peabody but handwriting differs. Comments note that Quentin Roosevelt’s schoolwork may have slipped because of all of his work with the Press.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1914-11-14
Report signed by Headmaster Peabody but handwriting differs. Comments note Quentin Roosevelt could average higher grades with a little more effort.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1914-12-12
Quentin Roosevelt writes to his mother to describe the journey to Gallup and his difficulties meeting up with his friend Ben who had gone on a trip to the Grand Canyon. Once Roosevelt meets up with Ben, they head to Kayenta, Arizona for the night. Roosevelt then discusses his whole plan for his time in the area and includes a hand drawn map of their travel route. Roosevelt is hoping for good bear hunting and fishing. He closes hoping his father is keeping quiet and that he wishes he knew Belle, Kermit Roosevelt’s fiance, better but hopes they like his choice of a gift.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1915-07-11
Quentin Roosevelt writes from the train to his mother regarding a possible wedding gift for Kermit Roosevelt. He asks if she likes it to buy it and he will pay her back. Letter is dated July 13 with no year mentioned.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1913-1914
Quentin Roosevelt writes to his mother describing his adventures hunting and hiking in Colorado.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1915-08-18
Quentin Roosevelt ranks 2nd in a class of 17 boys, yet the comments on this report card note that Quentin “could be an 85 boy if he tried.” His current average mark for the month is 77.6.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1915-02-06
Headmaster Peabody signed the report though the handwriting differs. The comments note that this report is poor and it is wished Quentin Roosevelt would have averaged 80 for the month.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1915-05-01
First grade report card of Quentin Roosevelt attending Force School, First Division.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1904-06
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Quentin Roosevelt describing a mother bird feeding her babies and himself feeding an elk at the zoo (he includes a drawing of both).
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1904-06-12
A scrapbook created by Quentin Roosevelt titled “Music and Musicians,” which tells the story of several classical composers
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1905-03-16
An announcement regarding a musical show entitled “Troubadours,” performed Monday evening, November 5, 1906, at Woodmen Hall. The back of the announcement lists the players and patrons. This is unattached in Quentin Roosevelt’s musical scrapbook.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1906
President Roosevelt describes to Quentin that while he was out riding, he came across a rabbit and terrapin in the road which resembled the characters in the story of “B’rer Rabbit.” Roosevelt draws a rabbit and turtle on the bottom of the letter.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1904-06-21
Quentin Roosevelt writes to his mother Edith Roosevelt and describes in great detail a toy that he wants, and includes a small drawing of the toy at the end of the letter. Envelope included.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1904-07-30
A formal invitation sent to Quentin Roosevelt inviting him to attend the Inaugural Ball on March 4, 1905. Envelope included.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1905-03-04
Quentin Roosevelt writes to Walter Russell thanking him for pictures that he received and asking after his family. Envelope included.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1905-11-08
Quentin Roosevelt writes Theodore Roosevelt regarding a bathing trip with his friends and includes a sketch of them bathing in a river or lake.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1905-12-06
A lullaby poem, describing what happens when children sleep. Quentin Roosevelt’s name is at the top, and the poem is in the hand of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt. Authorship is uncertain.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1906-03-10
A poem about goblins written by Quentin Roosevelt. The poem is written in the hand of Edith Kermit Carow Roosevelt.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1906-03-12
Roosevelt writes a letter to his friend Earnest inviting him to go “nutting” with him and his friends and Earnest writes a separate letter in response explaining that he cannot because he is too busy. Handwriting appears to be Quentin’s in both letters and teacher punctuation is visible.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1906-03-16
Theodore Roosevelt writes to Quentin Roosevelt while on board the USS Louisiana and talks about the pets on the ship. In another entry on the same page dated November 14, 1906, he describes his awe in passing the island of San Salvador.
Sagamore Hill National Historic Site
1906-11-11